The Sh#% They Should Have Told You

I’ve always had a dream to teach a college class for education majors called, The Sh#% That You Really Need to Know: A Teacher’s Guide to Surviving Your First Year. Instead of learning about the pedagogy and theories behind education and how students learn, it would be a crash course on planning actual lessons, deciding what is important in the curriculum and just general overall survival skills for your first year. Now, to make a long story short (if you know me at all, you know I like to ramble about other things before I get to my actual point), I feel like someone should had offered this class for expectant parents. The email/smart phone updates are helpful, and the online videos/T.V. shows do offer  a snapshot into the whole parenthood experience, but there are so many things that no one tells you about until they are staring you in the face.

1.      Kankles (dictionary definition- the swelling that takes place in ones ankles so that their calves and ankles look as though they are the same shape up and down) – holy pitting edema batman. Even wearing the loosest socks, I have indentations, not to mention my toes that resemble sausages. I know everyone talks about swelling, but until you see “fat” rolls on your own feet, I’m not sure you are prepared for it. 

2.      Carpal Tunnel – This is not the “slight stiffness” my doctor referred to. This is full on rigor mortis, except I’m still breathing.  I have finally resorted to sleeping with wrists splints on to alleviate “the claw” when I wake up.  The constant numbness is also not appreciated. See picture… not cute.



 

Okay, maybe the sleeping kitty is a little much, but
that is definitely what my hands feel like in the morning.



3.      Frumpy-ness – I don’t know if this is an actual medical condition, but the maternity photos of cute people in their skinny jeans and their non-swollen faces isn’t a reality for me. I don’t understand how people don’t live in sweatpants 24/7. *may have something to do with having twins.. but I seriously doubt it.



Cute



Not Cute





4.      Swelling/Edema – (see water retention) – I can’t talk about this in as much detail as I would if you gave me a bottle of red wine… but everything swells!! Seriously, they don’t tell you about this…

     
       All ranting asides, things for the Lang Nuggets are going well. Chad and I have been blessed with such supportive families, co-workers and friends that have all contributed to helping us be prepared for our new nuggets.  The private baby planner I hired *Brooke Herman- organizer extraordinaire* has helped organize all of those wonderful gifts and has my nursery ready for business. Most importantly, the nuggets are still cooking and growing. At my 33 week Perinatologist appointment, the doctor said that things are looking great. Everyone has plenty of amniotic fluid and they are both continuing to pass their weekly tests (suck, swallow, practice breathing, and body movement) and besides a few trips to labor & delivery to stop contractions things are going quite well. Although, I have to admit, I could have shed some tears walking out of the perinatal office today... I’m overjoyed and thankful to the big guy upstairs that the twinkies are doing so well, but I’m ready for these nuggets to move out. Guess we will continue the wait and see game for at least another week or two.

Jinx

28 weeks

I jinxed myself. Whenever anyone asked the question, "How are you feeling?"

I always replied with "great" or "so far so good!" ... but around week 25 I started having a feeling that I will call 'tightening' followed by fatigue. I just thought I was approaching that 3rd trimester and all that goes with it and continued on with working and regular activities. Finally after having several of these pains throughout a 3 hour period (several meaning more than 15), I decided that I might want to go have things checked out. So Chad and I got our own personal tour of Labor and Delivery at North Kansas City.

I was having contractions (glad to know I'm not crazy) and they did a variety of tests, gave me some drugs to stop the contractions and allowed me to go home after monitoring me for a few hours. My doctor wasn't real thrilled with me going back to Omaha for my baby shower (babies shower?), but she allowed me to go as long as I was on "bed-rest" for the weekend. Apparently she is unaware of my adhd and my inability to sit still.

The baby shower was a success. My crazy organized sister and several friends threw me an amazing shower. I was forced to sit in a recliner and my niece Avery opened most of my gifts. I definitely feel very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.

Jungle Diaper Cake

Opening some gifts

Yummies

Ave and I doing a little belly comparison

It's a Jungle Out There

This past weekend my parents came down to Kansas City to do some "projects" for me (on their birthdays)... the end result was pretty amazing. While Dad and Chad's laundry shoot, custom closet built-ins, garage door keypad, various door fixes and painting etc. weren't exactly picture worthy; Mom spent the entire weekend in the nursery painting some Jungle Animals for my mural. To her credit, I always knew she was a fabulous painter, but she really outdid herself this weekend.

Her side of the Jungle

As for Chad and I, things are starting to come together. Both babies look good so far. Rapunzel (Avery's name choice) is measuring a little behind her brother (Flynn Rider - also Avery's choice). They are continuing to monitor her closely to make sure she doesn't suffer from IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Retardation). Her weight is only several ounces behind her brother, so they are just being cautious. I go every 2 weeks for visits and monthly for ultrasounds, which will only continue to be more frequent. Other than leg cramps, general tiredness and the waddling- I can't complain... things are going well. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure!

His side of the Jungle

Closet built-in's

Changing table and chair

The "fluffy" (see fat) lady chair for rocking 2 babies and a small jealous dog.

I'm losing track of the weeks... I think this is 24... measuring at 34 

Double Trouble

 I always thought that the good lord had a sense of humor and now I'm definitely sure of it.

It wasn't long after we found out we were pregnant that I started to show. I thought that it might be a little early (6 weeks) to have a beginning baby bump, but hey, everyone is different right? My sister gave birth to 9lb+ babies. At our 8 week appointment, our doctor confirmed what I had been speculating...."It's Twins!" she said calmly. Chad, who had parked himself far away from me and my feet in the stir-ups jumped out of his chair. I always thought that when this moment came I would cry, jump for joy (not literally... still in stir-ups) or at least have a comment... but the only thing that came to my mind to say was, "Will you please make sure there is only two?" - who says that?!

At our 19 week ultrasound we got the best possible news. Two healthy babies, one boy and one girl. My mother said growing up that I wasn't the most efficient person... guess I showed her.

So here is my attempt at a blog. It will more than likely turn into an online photo-album with captions than an actual blog. I'm thinking of asking Nicole Lindquist to be my ghost writer. Anyway, here are some pictures of my sweet little nuggets as well as my ever growing tummy and the nursery (it's still a work in progress). Enjoy!

10 weeks

12 weeks

16 weeks

Jungle Theme - mural to be added

It's a girl!!

Girl Profile

It's a boy!!!

Baby Boy