Pregnancy Baby Bump Progression...

We realized in hindsight we did not remember to post "baby bump" photos...
Some people may not like to see them and I am shy about sharing-Ryan says it is a good memory to look back on!





approx 8 weeks...still heavy in face and still have a little chub.




Approx 12 Weeks...loss of some weight from morning sickness...





approx 16 weeks...loss of even more weight...but think all done w/ that now...






Approx 20 weeks...the bump has grown, but the rest of me has not yet...






Approx 24 weeks...now there is no doubt I am in fact carrying twins!






26 weeks today...isn't it funny how from the front w/ a black tank on it is hard to tell I am even pregnant...too bad my insides tell me otherwise!!

....In w/ the New!

November has been our most exciting and eventful month this year! We started the month off finishing our Baby Registry and then having a nice dinner out together at Legals. Then we had the rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, and reception for Jill & Dan. I was in charge of Sophia during the ceremony and she did so well walking down the isle w/ me and then sitting quietly playing w/ her "goodie bag" I put together to keep her entertained.



Bride-to-be and her bridesmaids...



Mommy-to-be and her handsome husband!


The morning of the wedding ceremony Ryan and I were able to get our first picture shots of the boys to take home. Here are a few...



Baby William playing Peek-a-boo!




Baby Theodore resting on his side!




Baby Theodore-profile shot!




Both boys-head shots!


We also had Warrens birthday where we went over to the house to visit, brought an ice cream cake and played the Wii.

We also moved to a new apartment on the south shore closer to Ryans work.
Thanks everyone who helped us out through the whole process! It was so hard for me to no be able to help in the move, but it all got done and we are now enjoying our new place-even made a real dinner the next night when Matt, Brooke, and the kids came to visit! Here are a few pictures of the new place...








The day before Thanksgiving and the again a week later we had to go in to the doctors to follow up on some issues, during which time I was put on modified bed rest...Not a thrill, but we still need the babies to wait out another 8 weeks! We were able to get some more good shots of the boys though...



William w/ his legs above his head...



Theodore waving to us...



William



Theodore



Already knocking heads together...

Out w/ the Old...

In October we were really busy!! We started out the on the 1st w/ a trip into Faneuil hall where we ate lunch at Cheers and then headed of to an appt w/ a high risk maternal fetal specialist in Boston. We were not able to get pictures of the babies at that point but we did find out what we were having-TWO BOYS!!

We spent much of the middle of the month looking at different apartments, though the search became easier when Ryan was no longer working 6 days a week on both the north and south shores. For those of you who never got to make it over to our old place, here are a few pictures. It was small but sufficient for just the two of us...



Bedroom nook



Living area before a couch and entertainment center we added



Part of Ryans office...



Part of Kitchen w/ my office space...

On Oct 20th we went to Cathy and Ron's house for a Mary Kay pre wedding makeup party. Ryan also had his Tux fitting and I had to exchange my dress for a smaller size! Yes, I did say smaller...I had in fact lost so much weight from the morning sickness, I went down TWO sizes.

The month ended w/ another drs appt, an apartment decision, and a trip to NH. We spend a Sat-Sun w/ Auntie Penny and Uncle Norm. It was so much fun and very relaxing. We made "grammie" cookies in the shape of pumpkins and Ryan and I decorated them-getting everything covered in glazed frosting. We also went to the Anheuser-Busch factory where we saw the beautiful Clydesdale horses and had a tour of the Budweiser plant. Though the smell of the Hops they put in beer put me on the edge, I did successfully make it through to the end. Everyone had beer samples, I had soda!

Super September!

This month was filled w/ many days of morning, noon, and night sickness and Ryan was so wonderful through the whole thing! I am so lucky to have him! Speaking of which, this month was both his and Elliott's birthdays. Here are a few pictures from Mom...


The birthday boy...

...opening gifts w/ his mama!

There was also a wedding shower for Jill! Here are a few pics from mom!


Jill & Mom


Mmmm...cake!!


Three "brides" and a completed bow plate!

About the middle of the month we braved it an had a day out together during which we played mini golf and went to see a movie! It was great for me to get out of the apartment now that I was feeling a little better! The month ended w/ me getting test results back from the doctors-all of which were good reports!

August Again...

Well, we have to say that this time last year we never thought we would be moved back home by friends and family we had not seen in quite a long time, let alone the prospect of parenthood. Though we miss our Florida friends and church family dearly, we are glad we are "home" again during this pregnancy.

Though I had to be hospitalized again after a Dr's appt at the beginning of the month, and I found out that my adopted paternal grandfather passed away, we were able to get away to NH w/ family. This gave me the time I needed to recuperate and get ahead of the curve w/ the dehydration and morning sickness. We also enjoyed dinner out at Harts Turkey Farm, a family tradition I was now a part of!

Here is a picture of Ryan and his Father fishing off the dock in NH...hopefully one day he can take the boys fishing too...



August ended w/ one more doctors appt and our fist trip to Babies R Us - though not for our babies, but for gifts for Elliott's upcoming birthday!

Jovial July!!

July started off w/ me still not feeling well...but I started working on the 3rd. We went to Matt & Brooke's house in Norwood on Wednesday for a 4th of July Barbeque! We had alot of fun w/ everyone there despite me having a horrible stomach ache! As the week went by I was still feeling ill and I still had not gotten my period-we decided to set an appointment w/ the doctor to see if I did not get my period from stress, my ovarian issues, possible flu, or maybe I really was pregnant...

On Wednesday July 12th I had an appointment w/ a doctor. After a wait that seemed endless when you have a full bladder. After a little more waiting both in the waiting room and then in an exam room the Dr came in and asked me some questions...

The Doctor asked if I would like to be pregnant or not. If Ryan and I had been trying to or wanted to have children. I responded that Ryan and I had not been trying, as a "matter of fact had an appointment scheduled for later that week w/ a fertility Dr, as we did hope we could have children someday...

"Well, it makes my day to tell you then that you are positively pregnant"

When I asked him what he meant by that he told me that my hormone levels in my urine were very elevated and he was guessing I was 8-10 weeks pregnant.

So, next came me telling Ryan in the car-us crying in the parking lot-driving over to where Cathy worked to tell her we were pregnant and to set up an ultrasound appointment-I finally was able to calm down. Well, until the following week...

We had our ultrasound on July 18 and I was so nervous the whole way there...little did I know there was another surprise ahead of us...




6.5 week old TWINS!!

We went to our intake appointment the following day w/ a new OB and found out that I had the best set up in my uterus for twins - each baby had their own amniotic sacs and placentas - one attached to the front of my uterus and one to the back. Both babies also had great heart rates.

Sadly the month ended w/ my being hospitalized on July 30th for dehydration. I had been getting sick a lot and found out that I needed to also up my fluid intake for carrying twins. Never a good thing when the doctor tells you after sticking a catheter into your kidney that the fluid was that color of molasses...

June Joy!

On June 26th Ryan and I were supposed to have an appointment w/ a Fertility Doctor in Reading to see if down the road we were going to face issues trying to have children due to and Ovarian problem I have. We were not planning on having any children anytime soon, we just wanted to find out what we were up against. Due to a strange health insurance glitch we had to work out, the appointment had to rescheduled for Tuesday July 17th! That week I was really not feeling well, but I figured that maybe I was actually stressed about not working yet. We did have had lots of fun the end of the month with family and friends at Moms wedding to Ron Babineau on the 29th! I did not have liquor as I was not feeling well we thought I might be pregnant-we did not want to risk it just in case.

Here are a few photos...



Cathy & Ron looking happy!


Cake before cutting...



...Brooke & Aunt Maura cutting it on the dance floor...



...Jill & Ryan too!!




Me & Ryan

Insane Interviews...

Over the 2 weeks from June 4th to June 16th I had an insane number of babysitter/nanny interviews as Ryan and I decided I needed to take time away from the high stress environment of Interior Design. It seemed I was not getting good responses and it did not make sense-as most of you know, I have been working w/ children for many years-I was turned down two of the jobs in one week saying that I was over qualified. I thought that was odd as I would want nothing better than the most qualified to take care of my children and home organization. On the 14th I had a nanny interview w/ a family in Lynn. While I was there at their house for the interview I was asked to stay for a couple hours and watch the little girl so her mom could go out and runs some errands. Between the money for that and the money I recieved for my birthday, I treated myself to a new outfit at Ann Taylor Loft! The evening of the 15th ended w/ Ryan taking me to Vinny Testas for dinner!

BBQ & B-DAY!!

Though I had just lost my job I was surprisingly calm and a lot less stressed. This was made even better by upcoming family hangouts and events we had been invited to. We went to Matt and Brooke for a Memorial Day BBQ! Ryan and I had a lot of fun just getting a chance to hang out in the beautiful weather! Then we had Sophia's (our niece) 2nd birthday party that following weekend and Matt and Brooke threw her a great party! We got to see a whole bunch of family and friends-some of whom we had not seen in quite awhile!

Here are some pictures from Sophia B-day!!




Sophia enjoying her cake after her meltdown when people sang happy birthday to her! She seems to really be enjoying the cake now!




Brooke & Elliott - Jen & Joshua Sidmore - Great to see you guys!




Elliott enjoying his favorite part of every day - eating!!




Party Portrait!!

Fired First!

The summer started for me on May 25th (also Matt & Brooke's 5th Anniversary!!) w/ me getting fired from my job in Boston. After much stress and disagreements at this job, I was glad to be "let go" anyway.

Summer Saga

We apologize to all of you for not posting on our blog for a really long time! For those of you who we have not seen or talked to in a while, soon you will see why we have not been in touch...For those of you who have been through everything w/ us throughout this summer and into this fall, we appreciate and thank you for all you have done. So, here the saga of our summer begins...