Jayden's Toddler Bed Transition

Over the weekend Jonathan and I decided to go "cold turkey" and transition Jayden into her new room and her big girl bed! We started out with her nap time and much to our surprise, she went down pretty easily! She slept almost 2 hours in her big girl bed! 

We pulled out the trundle bed just in case she tried to escape…but surprisingly, she stayed in bed and fell asleep within minutes!

I'm so proud of our big 2 year old!

That night we were praying and crossing our fingers she would go down as easily as she did during nap time. Jonathan's been putting her to bed every night and has an awesome routine with her…he will get her all snuggled up in bed, read to her and then sing a few songs with her. It's awfully cute if you ask me! Sometimes I can even hear them singing from downstairs! :) 

So that night was no exception, he went through their entire routine and when he was finished he kissed her goodnight and told her he would see her in the morning. Of course once he left the room she sat up in bed, and even though she can get up and down from her big girl bed, she did not get out of bed one time! I put up the monitor in her room so we could keep an eye on her…after she fussed for maybe a few minutes, she laid down and started playing with her blanket! 

Jayden would kick up her feet...

…then pull her blankie over her head...

…and eventually she fell asleep talking to herself!

We even left her door cracked open and thought eventually she would make her way into our room in the middle of the night…but nope! She stayed in bed and slept all the way through 2 nights in a row! 

I still can't believe how easy this huge transition has been for her and for us! We are so incredibly proud of our little peanut! 

Next is potty training!! Hopefully that will be as easy as this transition!!

My Body is a Vessel

One of my amazing friends from MOPS sent me a blog post from a mom of twins who wrote the most beautiful article about a pregnant mamas body and what we, as women, go through during pregnancy. When I read her post, I just about cried uncontrollably because I felt the exact same feelings she did.

Too often moms are overly critical on themselves and their bodies after bringing such a huge miracle into the world. I, for one, am one of those moms. As much as I hate to admit how hard I am on myself, I'm always critical about my hair, my outfit, my weight and how I look. While I'm not perfect, I'm certainly trying to be a little easier on myself and my changing body. No one is perfect, so why do I expect myself to be perfect? 

When I found out I was pregnant with twins, all I could think about was how big I was going to get, how many stretch marks I was going to be left with and how much weight I was going to gain. I found myself consumed with googling "twin pregnancy" to see pictures of how big other women were during their twin pregnancy journey. I was horrified by some of the pictures I saw and couldn't imagine how my body would endure this transformation.

For starters, just to get pregnant, I put my poor body through so much with both of my pregnancies. Since Jonathan and I had to go through infertility treatments, my journey into motherhood may be quite different than others, but special and unique none-the-less. Before I was even pregnant, I was giving myself daily shots and going to the doctor 2-3x a week for monitoring. Once we got pregnant, I had to continue giving myself daily shots for the first 11 weeks of pregnancy…that's 77 shots alone! I should have taken a picture of all the needles in our kitchen. We had one of those "sharp" containers in our kitchen, but I swear it looked like we were drug addicts with these huge needles in our house! I also had weekly doctor appointments up until 12 weeks to monitor the babies to make sure they were growing and healthy. On top of all that excitement, I had EXTREME morning sickness…so I was on just about any medication the doctor could give me to try and control my nausea and keep me from losing more weight. 

Luckily my second trimester was pretty uneventful, but my third trimester…ha…has not been so easy! Going in for NSTs 2x a week, getting put on strict bed rest at 31 1/2 weeks, going into pre-term labor at 34 weeks and now just trying to carry these babies as far as I can to avoid NICU time. That's not to mention the delivery and recovery to bring the beautiful miracles into the world.

Now, when I think about all my body has endured…I am a champ! And I need to continue reminding myself, my body is a vessel for my babies! 

I got this :)

16 more days and counting!

35 weeks and in the home stretch!

I can't believe I'm 35 weeks today! I'm so proud of myself for making it this far and staying on the sofa (almost) all day every day!

I had my 35 week check up yesterday and all went well. I'm still on medication to help mask the contractions, but since I can only take the medication every 6 hours, I think it starts to wear off after 4 or 5 hours since I can start feeling the contractions around that time. I can take the medication around the clock and my doc said to set my alarm in the middle of the night, but trust me when I say no alarm is needed here…my contractions kick in usually about an hour to an hour and a half before the 6 hour mark.

During my NST I only had 4 contractions, but the babies are still doing awesome and measuring big HUGE…at the rate they are growing, they might come out the same size as Jayden! Even though I have 18 more days until my scheduled c-section, my doc doesn't think I'll make it that long…he said most likely I'll deliver within the next week to week and a half! Crazy to think these girls could be here in a matter of days! My blood pressure was also a little high today (154/95), so the doc sent me for blood work after my appt to make sure my mild preeclampsia isn't going beyond "mild". He is so on-top of everything and wants to make sure I have a happy, healthy pregnancy all the way through :)

Both babies are still breech and haven't rotated at all the past few weeks. The doc said that's normal because they are running out of "womb" :) Even though they can't rotate, that doesn't keep them from moving and grooving inside my belly. This morning I did their kick counts in less than a minute each! Pretty impressive if you ask me…these will be some active babes for sure!

The last few nights have been pretty rough…since the babies are getting so big, I've had a tough time eating and keeping my food down at night. I get realllllly bad indigestion and heart burn and it makes me super nauseous :( Jonathan's been such a good sport bringing me water and holding my hair when I get sick. Trust me when I say, being almost 9 months pregnant with twins and getting sick is not fun! I'm already uncomfortable and have a hard enough time just sitting or laying down, but getting sick takes it to another level! Luckily these girls will be in our arms instead of in my big belly before we know it!

Oh and I officially can't see my feet unless I lean over :) 

How far along: 35 Weeks!!!!!

Total weight gain: Back down to 28 pounds…since I've been getting sick I lost weight in the past few weeks.

Stretch marks: Still none! This baby oil gel I've been using has been working wonders…hopefully it stays that way until D-Day!

Sleep: Still hit or miss…with the contractions acting up in the middle of the night, sometimes they will keep me up for a while before I can take my medication to calm them down.  

Best moment this week: This may sound ridiculous, but sneaking out of the house to get In-N-Out for lunch a few days ago … I'm such a rebel :) shhhhhhhh…don't tell my doc :) Oh and the other night after I finished getting ready for bed I saw a spider on the ground and let out a small scream…Jonathan jumped out of bed because he thought my water broke. I think he was slightly disappointed when he had to deal with the spider instead of pack up to leave for the hospital! I wish I had that moment on video…it was classic! 

Miss anything: Spending time with Jayden and my freedom…oh and my wardrobe :) I can't WAIT to wear regular clothes again! 

Movement: The girls aren't rotating as much as they were a few weeks ago, but their kicks & jabs are pretty darn strong and super uncomfortable when they are pounding on my bladder! I keep thinking their kicks might be strong enough to break my water!

Food cravings: I had a huge craving for In-N-Out yesterday, but for the most part I don't have too many cravings…still just a regular EXTRA hot cup of coffee, ahi tuna & Veuve Cliquot...I have 5 bottles waiting for me in the fridge!!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Dinner makes me sick every night ~ I'm going to try and eat earlier around 4:30 or 5 so hopefully by the time I go to bed my indigestion and heart burn won't be so intense. 

Belly button in or out: Outtie!!

Wedding rings on or off: Off but since I'm not swollen I could put my rings back on.

Happy or moody: I'm feeling pretty happy that I've made it this far and the babies could literally be here anytime! 18 days MAX! Whoop whoop!!

Looking forward to: Holding, kissing and loving on our sweet babies! I still can't believe Jonathan and I will be parents of 3 little girls!!! Our life is going to forever change the moment they arrive <3 

Our Big 2 Year Old

Jayden just had her 24 month check up last week and I'm so incredibly proud of our little angel! She weights 21 lbs and is 31 1/2 inches tall! Even though I can't lift her or carry her, she looked like she was getting bigger :)

Since she's gone all day every day I'm really missing my little mini me…the days go by so slow without her around. I can't wait to be able to pick her up and run around with her after the twins are here and I'm fully recovered! Since I can't play with her, daddy has really been spoiling her and loving on her :)

Out for a walk last weekend with dad! 

Our little love is so smart…I didn't know she knew my name is Renee and her daddy's name is Jonathan until about a week ago. She is too smart for her own good sometimes :)

Since our big girl is now over 2 years old and over 20 lbs, we finally turned her around in the car seat! And she LOVES it!!! She's so entertained pointing out the trucks, cars and buses ~ she just talks to herself almost the whole time in the car! Sometimes she talks so much it puts her right to sleep...

I'm so in love with this little girl!! I can't wait to see her as a big sis! <3

HOTY

While I definitely think my husband is a hottie, I don't confuse that with my nickname for him "HOTY" or "Husband of the Year". While he has by far earned that recognition, I think in the past few weeks he has definitely earned the title of Husband of the Century, Daddy of the Century or even Best Daddy Ever!

Since I have been on bed rest, I haven't been able to do any laundry, dishes, cooking or cleaning and without hesitation, Jonathan picked up the slack! I still can't believe he even asked me if any of my laundry needed "special instructions" like hang dry or hand wash!! WOW I'm thoroughly impressed!! I remember back in college he would throw everything into the washer together…whites, darks and towels! (YIKES)…and now here he is separating whites from darks, folding and putting away! I'm still in shock :)

Today, my first day home from my hospital visit, I woke up to a completely clean house, laundry in the washer, dishes done and all of Jayden's toys picked up! Not to mention, while he was doing all this clean up, he was taking care of Jayden! I'm by far the luckiest girl in the whole wide world and I feel so beyond blessed to have the most amazing hubby :) Not to mention my girls have the most amazing, hands-on, attentive and loving daddy in the whole world! I don't think they will ever know how lucky they are…but I do know and I am so incredibly proud of this man!! Who ever thought 10+ years ago we would be where we are today! I love my life, I love my growing family and I love this man with every inch of my heart <3

I never get tired of watching him play with Jayden or just love on her! Best daddy <3

For someone who hates feet…he has never slacked on my amazing foot rubs this pregnancy! He even offers :) Am I lucky or what?!

"I loved you yesterday, I love you still, I always have and I always will"

Quick Update...

So after staying the night in the hospital, I remember why I have been so diligent about staying on the sofa at home. Bed rest at home is so much more comfortable than bed rest in the hospital! Last night my doctor kept me at the hospital to monitor my contractions and make sure I didn't have to come back in the middle of the night. Luckily I stayed because my contractions came back with a vengeance around 4 AM and I needed more meds ASAP! Needless to say, I didn't sleep last night, between my contractions, the babies kicking my bladder, being beyond uncomfortable and getting more shots...I literally only slept 1 hour :( I can't remember ever being this excited to go home and sleep in my own bed! Since I've been on a new medication today, my contractions are few and far between and aren't nearly as painful as they were yesterday! My doc wrote me a prescription for the next 2 weeks so hopefully it will help keep the contractions away!

My OB also officially said if my contractions continue until 36 weeks, we will deliver at 36 weeks because the babies will be nearly full term and will require little to no NICU time! Whoop Whoop! That's my goal ~ 36 weeks and NO NICU time! I got this :)

Another quick & fun update…I totally forgot to post the rest of our amazing and beautiful maternity pics. I'm so in love with them! Especially the ones with Jayden! She is such an angel! I seriously couldn't be more in love with her!

Best family pic ever! And I love that it includes the twins :)

Jayden rubbing my belly and giving kisses to her sisters <3 

Seriously…melts my heart!!! I can't wait to see how she is as a big sis! I think know she will rock it!! :)

I've never known a love like the love I have for these girls <3

I love this man…he definitely wins husband of the year…I love you JSE <3

God gave us 2 and we will love & cherish these twins every single day <3 

I don't think they have any idea how much they are loved! We haven't even met yet and they fill my heart with so much joy, happiness and love! 

34 weeks and in the Hospital

Tomorrow I turn 34 weeks (yay!) and today I had my check up with the doctor. During my NST I started having consistent heavy contractions, so after my ultrasound my doc sent me the hospital for pre-term labor observation. My appointment was at 2:00 and I walked into labor & delivery at 3:00 and I've been laying here ever since.

Leave it to Jonathan for a funny selfie shot :)

I love that man!! <3

Since I've been here, I've had my first steroid shot to help develop the girls lungs just in case we deliver early and they have been giving me shots to ease the contractions and help stop the pre-term labor. Luckily all my lab work came back normal, so that's a good sign! My blood pressure has ranged from 120/88 to 157/94 and I still have protein in my urine, so I still have mild preeclampsia. I think the bed rest has helped as I haven't had too many other symptoms!

Now we are just playing the waiting game to see if we get to go home tonight or tomorrow. The doctor wants to see how my contractions respond to my second shot. Best case ~ I'll be home tonight around 9:00…worst case ~ I'll be home tomorrow after my second steroid shot if my contractions continue to subside.

Luckily I took my 34 week pic this morning before my doctor appointment…my mom was joking that it may be my last "weekly" progress pic. My doc said our goal at this point is 36 weeks…so only 2 more weeks and he might deliver me a week earlier than planned :)

How far along: 34 Weeks

Total weight gain: 30 pounds ~ I'm definitely gaining weight now! Even though I'm only 34 weeks, my belly is measuring 44!!! YIKES! That is a lot of belly!

Stretch marks: Still none and hoping they don't appear in the next few weeks.

Sleep: Still hit or miss…occasionally the unisom works and other times not so much :(

Best moment this week: Playing with Jayden the other night…we tossed the ball back and forth and played hide & go seek under the blanket before bed time :) I miss spending time with my little love bug so it was nice having some play time!

Miss anything: Being comfortable…I'm really looking forward to just being comfortable after these babies are out!

Movement: I don't think these babes ever sleep! Or maybe they tag-team! There's constant movement and constant kicking on my bladder since they are both still breech.

Food cravings: The past few days I've been craving girl scout cookies :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: I've been nauseous the past few nights and actually got sick two nights ago. That was the first time I got sick since my morning sickness subsided back around 17 weeks.

Belly button in or out: Out

Wedding rings on or off: Off

Happy or moody: I've actually been in a really good mood this week despite how uncomfortable I've been. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the fact I had a ton of visitors at home and so many friends and family bringing us meals and loving on us! So far we've had about 10-15 meals dropped off, along with about 8-10 visitors! I'm definitely feeling loved and so incredibly blessed with an amazing support system!!

Looking forward to: Going home (hopefully tonight) and finishing off this bed rest on my sofa and not in the hospital!