Pregnancy Favs

It's no secret that I am not new to this whole pregnancy gig. Things are certainly different with each pregnancy especially when there are years spanning one to the other or your are carring two instead of one. When I was pregnant with Kendal way back in 2004 the things I "liked" or wanted are very different than what I feel is a necessity now.. just a short 12 years later.

I thought I would share some of my favorites and yes, must haves (I think so anyway) for pregnancy... I could say stress free, fun filled, easy going... ect. but hey "things" don't make that happen, but they can help.

Contigo Shake & Go Tumbler  Of course drinking plenty of water is important while pregnant and after. I really have "enjoyed" drinking a lot of water this time around but always felt like I didn't have the right "cup" to fill up. Either they weren't big enough or didn't keep my water cold. While visiting my sister she was using this tumbler and she told me how much she loved it because it kept her water cold. And let me tell you my sister is all about trying new water bottles. So as soon as I got home I bought one and this thing hasn't left my side since then. I love it! Not only does it do what it's supposed to do in keeping my water cold and ice frozen you can remove the straw and shake up any drink powder you may want to add in. Once you remove the straw the area where the straw was closes up and the lid is sealed... Genius!

Snoogle Total Body Pillow I have never been one for body pillows; I just don't see the point and they take up too much space when you are trying to move at night. But this thing has seriously helped me get some sleep when my body is achey. Around 12ish weeks I started to experience some back and hip pain (early I know.. remember the statement above about this pregnancy gig not being new.. yea it causes crazy symptoms to pop up early too) my husband kept telling me to put a pillow between my legs and I just didn't want to do it...again with the too much stuff in the bed. Sooo after more complaining and some research I decided I should try something and of course my husband wanted me to get this body pillow so he could use it "after the pregnancy". As soon as  I opened it and laid down with it I was sold! It was very comfortable and even though it was "in the way" when I wanted to lay on my other side I figured out how to make it work, and it has helped so much. My back pain as well as my hip pain went away after just one to two nights of using it. Now keeping it real getting further along and bigger I don't like it as much because let's face it I am up a hundred times each night and I move around A LOT to get comfortable... so it has been passed on to my husband a little earlier than he expected. I will still use it if my back starts bothering me and it does help... so my opinion if you love body pillows this is definitely the one for you even if you don't "love" them but are looking for some pain relief I don't think you can go wrong.

Secret Fit Maternity Leggings Believe it or not before this pregnancy I had never worn leggings.. I know its a little crazy but they just didn't appeal to me. Until a trip to motherhood maternity when my oldest daughter convinced me to "just try them on". From that moment I was hooked (for now anyway) they are super comfortable and give a bit of a stretch ... you know in case you put on weight in other areas than your belly. I bought these gray ones and a patterned pair.. looking back I probably should have passed on the pattern as I haven't worn those nearly as much but to for lack of comfort. I would definitely suggest buying them when they are buy one get one 50% off or on some sort of sale.

PreNatal Gummies  When you are pregnant with twins you have to take "extra" vitamins and for me I was taking two and a half per day and I could only get them through prescriptions. So this go around it was nice to be able to buy something off the store (target) shelf. I've tried a few different brands both gummies and non. But my favorite by far is the target brand (up & up) prenatal gummy. They taste great, don't make me nauseous, and I feel like I am satisfying a small part of my sweet tooth! And yes another bonus (especially when you have to buy them some frequently) they are not going to break the bank!

Maternity Short Sleeve T-Shirt I LOVE these shirts from Target they are so comfortable and stretch nicely. They also have them in long sleeve which is nice for cooler days. I own one of each color and plan to make them last the rest of my pregnancy and after.  Now I will say the photo represents them being super long and I don't think they are that long... like they wouldn't cover my butt the way they do the for the model in the photo. This is definitely a staple for your maternity wardrobe and they are super reasonably priced... and who doesn't love that!

Longline Knit Cami these tanks from Forever 21 are amazing! I bought a few before I was pregnant because I like my tanks longer and they have turned out to be the perfect tank tops (cami's) to cover the bump in all it's stages. Here I sit nearly 33 weeks pregnant and they are still perfect even when my maternity shirts are wanting to show off my bare belly these tanks keep it well covered! And at less than $4 each you can't go wrong!


I am sure there are many more "things" that have made this pregnancy one to remember but these are just few things I have found myself enjoying on a (near) daily basis!

* All opinions are my own and no compensation was received for the post.

~Kristy

Pregnancy Update

You may remember from my last update nearly two weeks ago that I was 29 weeks ... today I am 31 weeks 6 days, making me 32 weeks for my next update ?!?! Wait isn't that a 3 week difference... yes, yes it is... Sound confusing, well it is for me too! Here's a little update as to why my week jumped up 8 days in one appointment.

First, a little symptom update...the past 6 or so weeks I have been itching ... A LOT ... no rash, no hives, no redness just itching! I let my doctor know and he wanted to see me to rule out PUPPS. After taking a look he said I didn't have PUPPS and he wanted to run some blood work thinking my immune system may be causing the itching (i.e.: something I would just have to deal with). While waiting for the blood work results we tried a few different things to alleviate the symptoms nothing really worked. But also let me just say that it wasn't/isn't unbearable and its severity comes and goes. At my next appointment (2 weeks later) doctor only saw an elevation in the "bile acid" levels from my liver/gallbladder. On a scale of 1-10 being "normal" I was a 10. He wanted to recheck my blood in two weeks, meanwhile having me try a course of medication to help with symptoms. After about 3 days of the medication I was feeling sick and the symptoms weren't improving so we stopped the medication and he decided to call the high risk doctor just to be safe based on my blood work. He told me a little about why he wanted them involved and let me just say when your doctor says "I don't want to scare you but...." the first thing you do is panic.

A week later (yesterday) I saw the high risk doctor and had an ultrasound.

Update on baby... Baby girl is doing great.. yesterday (Wednesday) I was 30 weeks 4 days. All of her measurements were coming up 33 weeks or 34 weeks and when they estimated weight she was 5 pounds!!! Let me just say I was very shocked Kendal (my biggest baby) was only 6 pounds 13 ounces so hearing that this little one was already 5 pounds with 9 ish weeks to go I was a more than a little worried. After the ultrasound the doctor and I talked about "dates" I told her that every ultrasound baby was measuring 1-3 weeks ahead but they never discussed changing my due date. She asked to see photos of early ultrasounds and I showed her the six week one to which she promptly said "that is not a six week baby" uhhhh ok?? I know I was six week by dates.. when you are trying to get pregnant you pretty much know every single date necessary to help you conceive and I knew all of those dates. It didn't make sense that I would be so far ahead of where we "thought" we were based on those dates. The doctor went a head and said it was time to change the due date but could only change it by 8 days.. immediately putting me at 31 weeks 5 days! I was shocked but it did help explain her measuring so much ahead but still even with the change she is 2 ish weeks ahead of the game. Now I know that these measurements (especially towards the end) are just estimations and could be off in either direction. But needless to say baby girl was due April 9th with a scheduled c-section for April 5th and now is due April 1st.

Update on liver/gallbladder issue... We next discussed the reason I was actually there. Unfortunately, the doctor hadn't received all of my records from my OB so I gave her a list of my symptoms and what my doctor had told me about the blood work. She immediately diagnosed me with Cholestasis  (click the link for details)... in short Cholestasis is brought on by the high levels of pregnancy hormones present in the last trimester of pregnancy; affecting the gallbladder function causing the leakage of bile acids into the blood stream in turn affecting baby.

OB appointment update today... Doctor agrees with high risk Doctor assessment although he doesn't necessarily agree with changing the due date based off of ultrasound. So we decided to go with the c-section at About 37 and half weeks. I will start twice weekly visits next week. One visit being an ultrasound to monitor Growth and the other an NST. 

It has definitely been a lot to process over the last few days. But I know that my baby and myself are in good hands for the rest of the pregnancy. It's hard to believe she will be here so soon! Either way we are ready (almost) and excited for her arrival! 

Weekly updates from here on out ... I'm sure things will change quickly!

~Kristy 

A Family Strengthened

There are seasons in life that last a few years, a few days, or maybe a few months. Each season is different maybe they are difficult and we don't quite understand why we are there. The past three months have been a season of growth, change, and learning for our family. We've been staying with family while we looked for a house to rent, it's never easy to have to rely on others because of your personal situations. But my husband's sister and her family were kind enough to offer us a place to stay during this time. It's not like we have a small family either... hello family of 6... but we all made it work. I talked about how this transition has been for our family and just what it called on us to do.


Now that this season is coming to an end I have been doing a lot of reflecting on our journey how we got here, what we've learned, and how it has strengthened our family. Like most seasons in life we can say we are some how different once that season has passed. I think this statement is true for my family in a lot of ways. It can be so easy to question why we are where we are when times are difficult. It can also be easy to think things are never going to change or "we" are never going to change. But what we don't see is the change happening each day the little bits of ourselves that are growing and learning. I think there is a reas
on we can look back after a difficult or challenging season and wonder how we made it but at the same time feel grateful we did. We can then somehow see that we did change and what we once didn't understand about our situation is now clear.

As I sit here I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense gratitude towards the unknown.. of course it's only unknown to us. I have long believed that there is a path laid out for each of us meant to challenge us, grow us, and generally prepare us for our next stop on the path. I am also grateful for the faithfulness of those around us, times are not always easy and they don't always reveal the best in all of us. Without the love and support of those we rely on the most the challenges seem much more difficult. As a family we are ready to make the next stop on our path and we are surely better individuals and a stronger family.

So here is to the unknown, the hard times, the good times, and the perfectly imperfectness of it all.

~Kristy

Twenty Nine Week

How Far Along - 29 weeks ... Definitely the Third Trimester!

Total Weight Gain - 20 pounds - Why do I feel like this is a lot? I am convinced I have a huge baby growing right now. Even though I have asked the doctor every visit if I am "ok" with my weight and he says "yes" every single time AND my belly is measuring exactly where it should be I still feel like I am huge. I am probably having twin pregnancy flash backs... where everything just keeps getting bigger and there is no stopping it! As long as the Doctor doesn't yell at me I'll take that as I am doing ok!

Maternity Clothes - Yes, A 20 pound weight gain calls for larger or more forgiving clothes no matter who you are! Some of my favs still fit but are starting to get a bit tight around this belly but I am confident I can make them last for a bit longer. Thankfully our "winter" has been very mild (until the last few days of course) so I have been able to continue wearing everything I purchased in the summer and fall. On chillier days I just throw a sweater over my favorite t-shirt or tank top.

Sleep - As much as I think I should just remove this section because my status never changes I will still provide an update because hey it's part of pregnancy right? I am really trying to get some sleep... really. But as much as I want to sleep and I am sure baby girl would love for me to sleep it just doesn't happen all that well. Don't get me wrong I do sleep it's just very random and uncomfortable. There is no consistency in my sleep, sometimes I find myself dreading the night time because I know I won't be comfortable and sleep will be hit or miss. Now I know this is very poor me and complaining but let's be real not all of pregnancy is rainbows and butterflies and this just happen to be a rough area for me. Nevertheless we will make it through and I will take sleep wherever or however I can get it.

Miss anything? I mentioned a few weeks back it was getting harder for me to carry the twins. Even though it was getting difficult I still did it because they are technically still my babies and I love to pick them up and carry them. Well I think the time has officially come when I really can't carry them or pick them up at least and especially not both of them at the same time. The belly stretch is real and I feel like I am pulling muscles every time I pick one of them up. I appreciate they understand that mamas belly is big and they know it hurts mama to carry them. I imagine I will continue to try and pick them up or carry them until little sister is here....yes, I am that stubborn... just ask my husband.

Cravings - I could say any thing I am craving pretty much changes from day to day. It's mostly spur of the moment type things.. yes, still starbucks or panera teas are pretty much a daily thing. But mostly, it's whatever looks or sounds good at the moment. Usually some sort of chocolate is involved...

Symptoms - Braxton hicks pretty much all throughout the day and some "real" contractions (a few here and there) are here to stay. At my 28 week appointment my doctor did check me out and said I am not at all dilated so that is good news. I try to really monitor and keep track of these contractions because I did go into preterm labor with the twins at 32 weeks and ended up having them at 35 weeks. Luckily I have been able to start seeing the doctor that delivered the twins so he is understanding of my "symptoms" and doesn't make me feel like a crazy lady.

Looking forward to- In two weeks we will be in our own place and I can finally start getting reading for baby girl. I am looking forward to having the kids back in their own space and the hubby and myself in our own space. Hopefully, we will be throwing some family/maternity photos in there sometime soon.

Toddler Talk: Four

Talk: These two went from saying two or three word phrases to full on sentences in what seems like a blink of an eye. When they speak to each other they use the others name, when they tattle on each other or their big sisters they also use names. They are very good at describing what they want and how something may have happened to them. Charlotte grabbed a hold of Olivia's cheeks and scratched her pretty good and it was sore for a few days. Each time you would ask Olivia what happened she would say "Charlie do that" in the most innocent of voices. They know to say please and thank you without much prompting; which I love. They will tell us when they are hungry, tired, or just not into what we are asking them to do. Everyday it seems like a new word or phrase escapes them and we are shocked at just how much they know. They have on occasion heard the not so nice words slip from our mouths and let me tell you they are not shy in saying them. And what is even more crazy is that they understand the correct context to use those not so nice words.... oops. They know and recognize there is a baby in mama's belly and they are constantly asking to hold her or feed her. They lift my shirt and say baby girl's name while they rub my belly, it is pretty darn sweet.  I love that they are so much more interactive with us but it's also just mind blowing how much they know at such a young age.

Play: Coloring is still at the top of their list, they love "color" and "draw" all the time. I think their favorite is to draw/color in mama's notebook. I am pretty sure both girls are right handed both use it pretty well and I don't see much use of the left hand these days. Charlotte holds her pencil just like a first grader and loves to draw circles which she always refers to as "ovals" Once Olivia see's Charlotte being praised for her great "ovals" she joins in and does just as well. Both have a major love for shopkins right now... their cousin and sisters' have them out all the time and they absolutely love playing with them. We bought them their own packs the other day and it was like Christmas morning all over again. They still love the park if we drive past a field they assume there is a park and  they (especially Charlotte) asks to go the park nearly every day. I took them to a "gym" class last week and they had a blast. It's a combination of structured learning of "gymnastic" type skills and free play. It worked really well for them. They were a bit shy in the beginning being around new people but at the end they were right up with the other kids and instructor. I think we will be enrolling them for more regular classes soon.

Food: Cheese, yogurt, and fruit. Give it to them 100 times a day and they will eat it. Olivia has become selective on her cheese type while Charlotte will eat any type she can get her hands on. They absolutely hate it when I "split" anything for them. They have to have their own and believe me they know when its been cut, broken, or torn in half.

Sleep: It's getting better is about all I can say here. As mentioned in the last post (toddler talk: Three) and (Transitions) we are staying with family and sharing a room with the twins so getting them to sleep with out us has been a struggle. The past week has been better but we always seem to end up going back to the hard days after a few good ones. Good news is by the next toddler talk post we will have moved into our own house and they will be back in their own room!

News: Yes, we are moving in just two weeks; while it has been great staying with family and we could never thank them enough for letting our family of six into their home for the last three months it is time. We are very excited to have a new place to call home, a place for the kids to play, to have their own rooms, to ride their bikes and so much more. And this mama really needs to start getting ready for baby girl who will be here in just 10 short weeks...or less.

Charlotte and Olivia have grown and changed so much it seems like in the blink of an eye. They are smart and loving little girls and always making us laugh. They love to cuddle and jump on the bed like crazy kids. I hope their love for life never fades and they share it with those around them.

We love you little ones.

You ARE enough

To the mom who thinks she isn't enough. Isn't enough for her child or children, enough for her significant other, enough for her friends or family. To the mom who thinks she just can't do it any longer, can't work full time and take care of her family, do the laundry, make dinner, pay bills, and still have time to breathe and the end of the day. To the mom who feels like she is only defined by her roles of Mother and significant other, that she is only seen in these lights and questions what her worth is to the family and those around her. To the mom who thinks she isn't strong enough, isn't capable enough, and just isn't all that she believes she can be.

I feel those same things, think these same thoughts, and have been where you are. I too have questioned if I am enough, can I be more than just the stay at home mom, the wife, be more than the label I have placed upon myself? I have said to myself, to my husband, I Just can't do it any more, I can't go to work everyday and come home and still be all that is required of me. 

But I have learned along the way I am enough. I am more than just mom and wife, I can stay home or I can work either way I can do it and I can be good at it. I don't need others to define if I am a good mother or wife. It's ok if I have a bad day... one bad day doesn't define me as mother or what I am capable of. It's hard to remember these things, and one day we may feel on top of the world and the next feel like a complete failure. We all have these days, but must remember they are just days, days that we will get through, days we will learn and grow from. 

I wanted to share this tonight because as women and mothers we just don't hear it enough, we are hard on ourselves and give ourselves little credit for the amazing mothers we are. So hang in there, tomorrow is a new day and don't get down if tomorrow is that hard day... you will make it and you will be stronger because of. If you see a mom struggling, tell her how awesome she doing and while you are at... tell yourself how awesome YOU are doing. 

~ Kristy

Twenty Seven

How Far Along - 27 weeks 1 days ... Hello third trimester ... I think ?

Total Weight Gain - An unscheduled trip to the doctor this week has me at a 17 pound weight gain. I really don't know how I gained 2 pounds since my last appointment like 10 days ago... maybe it doesn't matter and you know it's a girl thing worrying about weight gain.. it's silly really to worry when you are pregnant and you are supposed to gain weight. Either way I'm feeling ok with where I am at and it feels like baby girl is getting bigger by the day.

Maternity Clothes - Yes, this belly is really out there and even some of my tops are starting to get too tight. And then that strange thing happens when your shirt covers your belly but doesn't really go far enough down and kinda sticks out.. yea we are there. I am really trying to keep myself from buying new clothes... I think I can make it!

Sleep - You were really hoping I was going to say its been great weren't you ?? Yea so was I.. but it's much of the same as in the past. I am trying to get to bed a little earlier so that I can try and get some more sleep. Since we are living with family the twins being in our room has made things a little difficult. I get up a lot during the night because .... well it's pretty much crazy why I get up for them. So I am working on letting them "fuss" without mama coming to the rescue.

Miss anything? Sushi for sure and I am usually not much of a "drinker" but whenever my husband drinks a beer it looks very good for some reason... maybe lack of sleep. Regarding the sushi I think I will request it after baby girl joins us.

Cravings - Passion Fruit Green Tea from Panera is amazing ... I love their green tea in general but this new twist is so refreshing and tastes amazing and then when you pair it with a cheese danish my cravings dreams have come true. Starbucks and Panera are both a big treat so I try to keep them as "rewards" for...well you know... surviving on 3 hours of sleep!

Symptoms - Did someone mention braxton hicks??? Oh that was me.... I'm not surprised, they are coming more frequently now and sometimes include lower back pain. Nothing too concerning at this point but I do know they are a sign that it is time to slow down. Some round ligament pain has returned and of course when I least expect it. My body is just tired in general but I know it's part of the process so I am just listening to my body... like I should have done with the twins. My unscheduled visit to the doctor this week was a result of some major skin itching on my belly, chest, and neck. No rash or sign of a reason why, I've been doing things to try and alleviate the itching but nothing seems to be working. The doctor doesn't seem too concerned but is running some blood  just to be sure.

Looking forward to- Nesting! And hopefully soon I will be able to get in the grove of officially getting ready for baby girl. We will find out tomorrow if we are "officially" approved to rent a house! Next appointment is a week away and it is glucose test time and then appointments every two weeks hopefully an ultrasound will be coming up as well!




Is it me or does my belly look bigger when it's taken via selfie???

Hair done, contacts, and makeup... must have been a special day/night (it was New Years Eve!)!