Documenting the belly

30 weeks and 1 day, oh my.

Here I am testing out the new duo glider stroller with car seats. I don't know if the word glide should really be anywhere in the description of this stroller, but a neccessity nontheless.

Also, a shot of us at our baby shower from last weekend.

My friends

I'm not sure if anyone else does this, but do you find yourself referring to your "blog friends" as your friends, or at least wanting to do this? 

I recently overheard people in my office talking about Hong Kong, and I had to restrain from saying, "My friend, Libby is moving there in 2 months." or when another co-worker showed off the skirt she made this weekend, I want to tell her about "My friend Lisagh's adorable aprons that she sews."  I guess my fear was that I didn't want to be further questioned and then have to say, "well, I really don't know them - I just read their blogs ..."

I can say that I actually do know about 3 people who are on my list of daily blog reads that are actually friends - I know where they live, know their husbands, could call them up and chat.  However for the rest, I may or may not recognize you if you came up to me and said hello.

I'm afraid if I started talking about my "blog friends", people would immediately turn up their nose and think, does this chick have no life and no "real" friends?  I guess they would liken it to that imaginary friend from elementary school.

However, since I read about everyone's lives, likes and dislikes, the highs and lows, sometimes I feel like I am a part of everyone's lives and feel connected to those people whose blogs I read on a regular basis.  I guess it truly is a social phenomenon that all of us are going through ... so, my question to all of you, do you ever talk about your "blog friends" in public or is this something that you enjoy keeping to yourself?

Living on the wild side

Today, I'm wearing white pants and am eating my breakfast of a PB& raspberry jam on wheat with strawberries.  Now, I know that this doesn't sound like a dangerous feat for most of you, but for me, I can rarely wear white without something finding it's way to my clothing.  The sandwich is done and I will say, I surprised myself without finding jam on my pants. 

Case in point, yesterday, I wore a white faux-wrap top and made it through most of the work day until I discovered the canister of Hershey's extra dark chocolate with pomegranate bits.  Yum.  I took one back to my desk to savor and looked down a few minutes later to find it on my shirt and also on my arm.  Go figure!

By the way, if you love dark chocolate - find this candy.  It is quite yummy.  We had the individual squares in several different flavors. 

Makin' big babies

Yesterday, I had an appointment for an ultrasound, then 2 hours later, I had to go back and see my Doctor. A little nerve-wracking to split up the appointments, but I was out of there in record time. I may need to schedule all of my appointments like this.

Everything is looking great - I'll be 30 weeks on Thursday. How did that happen? Time really seems to have flown.

When our X-ray tech was measuring the babies, I was anticipating 2 1/2 pounds each. That would have given them about a 1 lb. growth spurt since our last appointment, a month ago.

I was shocked when she measured Baby A at 2 pounds and 14 ounces, who ranks in the 50th percentile for weight. Then, came the ringer ... Baby B measured at 3 pounds, 6 ounces, well into the 80th percentile. We were shocked and amazed. Our Doctor was very pleased with the growth of both - typically he sees twins in the 10-20% percentile. Everything looks OK so far with the difference in their weight. They will keep checking it, just to make sure one doesn't grow too rapidly and or take over all of the nutrients!

WOW. Still can't believe I have 6 pounds of baby in there. I think this is always how I felt after a huge mexican dinner!

Fooling myself

I think that my Fresca over ice is just as good as Hubby's Hoegaarden beer with an orange.

Yes-sir-ee-bob, I sure do. And, I'm sure that Fresca will taste just as yummy with a burger and sweet corn here later tonight.

Why does the start of summer remind me of gin & tonics and cold beer? Not nice to do to a 7-month pregnant woman!

Friday Fill In

It's time for a Friday Fill In ...

1. On my laziest day I like to stay in my PJ's, watch movies, nap, read, and eat!
2. Crossing things off a list or being able to move papers off my desk and know that a project has made progress makes me feel like I'm being productive.
3. I love little kisses and big hugs.
4. This summer I want to learn to be a good mom.
5. Preppy Cafe / Suburban Cupcake made me start my blog.
6. Red reminds me of toenail polish, college (one of my alma mater & sorority colors), the Junior League, and inspi(red) and orange reminds me of UT football, jack-o-lanterns, and fall leaves.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to enjoying the first Friday that we have summer hours at work, tomorrow my plans include a baby shower and seeing friends and family and Sunday, I want to get outdoors for a bit and hopefully do a little organizing around the house, namely one of our spare bedrooms!

Learning to say thank you at a very early age

Aren't these the cutest thank you notes from KT Originals?

I wanted to find cards for our upcoming shower other than my regular thank you notes, but gender-neutral and not too cheesy. I'm sorry, but too many storks, ducks, and bows make me cringe. They also have matching birth announcements as well ... decisions, decisions.

The sweetest sound

I walked in a few minutes ago after working all day, then attending the Annual Meeting for the Junior League to hear the vacuum running. How nice is that? Hubby was vacuuming the house and I didn't have to ask.

I know I don't sing his praises enough, but he's a good, good man.

Maternity slips?

Anyone know if they exist? I hate slips almost as much as I hate pantyhose, but everyone once in a while, I really feel they're a necessity.

I ordered a dress online - it's really cute, but made out of a thin cotton that is a little too sheer for my liking. Or for anyone else's for that matter. I'm trying to wear the dress to a shower next weekend, and would really prefer not to look trashy while balancing my punch on top of my belly!

NKOTB

NKOTB Reunion = I'm OLD.

While getting ready this morning, I heard on the Today Show that NKOTB is playing a concert this morning and it's been something like 13 years since they've performed together. (That may not be 100% accurate - I'm not in the same room when I'm listening).

I do remember in High School, most girls loved this band and had a crush on one of the members. It seems that if you "liked" one of the guys, then your friends had to pick another member to "like."

Lucky for me, I was not into NKOTB at all, so I didn't have to fight over a band member. In those days, I was happiest listening to the Cure and New Order and trying to get Billy F. to notice me. He wore lots of black, and when he wasn't riding a skateboard, drove a black VW convertible bug. Ah, the good ol days.

The "dreaded" orange drink

Is it bad that I didn't mind the glucose tolerance test drink today? It tasted like a Sunkist or other orange-flavored beverage, plus they served it over little pellet ice, so I was fine with it. Don't know my results yet, so I have abstained from the bag of Starburst jellybeans in the cupboard, just in case.

Now, I start having appointments every week and have also started rotating Doctors. I know this is normal, but I really like my Doctor and am not looking forward to seeing someone new every week. Especially when they ask you questions like, "So are you feeling a lot of good movement from the baby? I mean babies?" Just a little thing, but I'm sure TWINS is scrawled in bold somewhere on my chart. Details, details ...

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms - of children, doggies, kitties, and otherwise!

Isn't it amazing that Baby A, Baby B, Zeus & Zoe were able to pick out flowers and cards all on their own? I think my sweet Hubby may have had just a little to do with it!

What's up with this rating thing?

Did this rating thing pop up on anyone else's blog? And how do you remove it? The last thing I need is a rating system - I would be all 1's and 2's for sure!

Tennis ball = pregnant woman's best friend

In my prenatal yoga classes, we always take a tennis ball & rapidly roll our bare foot back and forth on it. It is heaven. I think this would be good for anyone - pregnant or not, after a long day of walking or on their feet. You can also get a good stretch by placing one heel on the tennis ball and pushing down with your weight. Then, alternate your feet. We also use this time to stretch your arms overhead and lean them to the left, then right.

I had been doing this at home on occasion, until I noticed that Zeus & Zoe kept taking the tennis balls as their own toys (because obviously they don't have enough toys of their own). Just doesn't have the same effect when covered in dog slobber. I may just need to stick to this exercise at yoga from now on.

5 Things

I decided to take part ...

5 Things I Can't Live Without Under $10:
1. Hot tamales candy
2. J.R. Watkins Apothecary Lemon hand cream - it smells exactly like the lemon cream girl scout cookies.
3. iTunes downloads
4. Uni-ball roller ball pens
5. Even though I technically don't buy these anymore, I have to put Martha Stewart Weddings magazine on my list. Love these.

5 Favorite Movies:
1. Sixteen Candles
2. Pretty in Pink
3. Say Anything
4. A River Runs Through It
5. Little Miss Sunshine

5 Baby Girl Names That I Love:
1. Lucy
2. Elizabeth and call her Libby
3. Madeline
4. Zane
5. Caroline

5 Baby Boy Names That I Love:
1. Zane
2. Jack
3. Holden
4. Finn
5. Parker

5 Songs You Could Listen to Over and Over:
1. Best of You - Foo Fighters
2. Bittersweet - Big Head Todd
3. Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers
4. Canon in D - Pachelbel
5. Fall on Me - R.E.M.

5 Things That Stay In My Purse At All Times:

1. Burts Bees lip balm
2. Cell phone
3. Debit card
4. Mirror
5. Pen

5 Obsessions I Have Right Now:
1. R.E.M.'s new album
2. Stephen Bonanno sandals - my 1st pair are on order!
3. Baby anything and everything
4. Finding something good to drink other than water that is healthy
5. Feeling little baby kicks and trying to figure out what they're doing in there.

5 Places I'd Love to Go:
1. Italy
2. Anguilla
3. Greece
4. St. John
5. Back out west- Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, etc.

Cookie candy recipe

I promise this is so easy and addictive. I make this for pretty much any party that we attend and there are only crumbs left. I believe the real name is called Cookie Candy, but we typically call it "crack rock"

You will need:

1 sleeve of saltine crackers
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (you can substitute dark chocolate or whatever you like)
12 oz. Skor bits, toffee chips, or butterscotch chips (I've tried peanut butter- not the same consistency, but still pretty good)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Directions:
Line a baking pan with foil.
Place one layer of saltine crackers in pan.
In a saucepan, mix butter and sugar over medium heat until combined.
Boil for 2 minutes, then pour mixture over crackers.
Bake for 6-7 minutes at 400 degrees.
Remove pan and sprinkle chocolate chips & Skor bits over crackers.
Set for minutes and spread to blend.
Refrigerate for 2 hours and break into pieces.

Time for a Friday Fill In

Thanks to Friday Fill In for today's blog fodder ...

1. Two of my favorite ingredients in a drink are the little pellet ice and Bombay Sapphire Gin!
2. My friend Stephanie often amazes me.
3. You can keep doing that forever, the dog is enjoying a good back scratch, right near the hind legs.
4. Saltine crackers, butter, sugar, chocolate chips and toffee chips, mix it all together and voila! You have the best cookie candy on earth.
5. If I had a yard with a garden, I would love to grow big pink peonies and gardenias. Maybe next year!
6. Makeup for the gym is best au naturel. Really. Why do you put on lipgloss if you're gonna go sweat?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to stopping by a book sale after work
tomorrow my plans include visiting with the in-laws and Sunday, I want to eat movie popcorn while watching Baby Mama!