Ann & Steve engagement

One of my favorite things about taking pictures of friends is the story behind the picture. Meet Ann & Steve. Ann and I have been friends and running buddies for the past 3 1/2 years. I remember when she met Steve. I remember their first date. I remember meeting Steve at the Blue Moose and knowing right away that he was the one for her=) These two have fun where ever they go and are a blast to be around. I truly believe they were made for each other. We headed down to the West Bottoms today and to the Liberty Memorial to take some engagement pictures. With people this good looking - you can't really go wrong. Here are just a few of our pics from their engagement session today.

A&S -Thanks for letting me "practice" today - I had a blast! I hope we got a few that you like. Can't wait for June and for you two to be our new neighbors!!

Inch by Inch

Its. Official. As of this summer I will be a stay at home mom. I turned in my resignation yesterday and boy was it weird. After 8 years of creating lesson plans, helping students on the path to academic success, working with co-workers, presenting at workshops, attending workshops & conferences, my life is changing. I always knew in the back of my head that I wanted to be a stay at home mom. My mom stayed home with us and I've always wanted to give that back to my kids if it were at all possible. Last week when we found out about LOS DOS it was completely confirmed. Childcare for not one - but two infants - is enormous. Basically I wouldn't walk home with a dime each month. And I would probably be walking because I couldn't afford the gas to drive to school and keep my babies in childcare. Suddenly it became very real that I would be staying home. Mat and I both knew this is what we want for our kiddos right now. There will be big sacrifices, but we are willing to do what we need to do to make it work. Like I said, I knew in the back of my mind...but it didn't feel real until yesterday when I met with both of my bosses to hand in my resignation. I am excited and blessed that we will be able to do this. I hear people comment about how bored stay at home moms must be and I just don't get that - I see how incredibly busy my mom friends stay - working or not. I truly feel blessed to be able to stay home and take care of these two little girls. I can't help but wonder what next August will feel like when my teacher friends are headed back to the classroom...will I miss the scheduling, testing, planning, bulletin-board making? I am sure I will. Perhaps I will be too sleep deprived to even realize it's August=)

Speaking of students...My students have been HILARIOUS about the fact that their are 2 babies inside me... here are a few of their comments:

So what size are you NOW?

No - your clothes - what size clothes do you have to wear with twins?

Yep you are getting bigger. Babies are growing.

Do you like your babies?

Will you babies come to ELL?

You're pregnant?!!? I thought my sister way lying and you had gained weight.

I think you should name them Cinderella and Bella.

Who's going to take care of us? Ms. Mardell?!! Ms. Mardell?!! PLEASE!

Can we go to the doctor with you to see your babies?

Can you make us all copies of your babies' pictures so we can keep them.

How did 2 babies get in there?

It has been a constant crack up every day to hear their comments. Kids love to come pat my stomach and say hi to the babies. During a read aloud yesterday one of my girls asked if she could come sit by the babies. My 4th grade class would be MUCH happier just asking questions about the girls than doing anything else=) (Uhm...no luck dudes - state testing is around the corner.) I have started using the twins as a class management strategy (sorry babies). If students in class or the bus line are getting a little rowdy I inform them that the babies can hear them and are learning from them and I would be so embarrassed if my babies acted like that some day. Works like a charm. The kids immediately stop. Who would have guessed? (Check that out Jim Fay, but you didn't have that in your bag of tricks?!)

Here is my most recent pic. I know it's weird to post another pic already, but my stomach has taken off my storm. Good. My doctor said my #1 priority is to eat. And eat I will! (I bought 3 more boxes of girl scout cookies since my last post) A few posts back I was griping about how I thought I looked preggo but no one else did... pretty sure I got what I asked for=)

Operation: Get -Fatty

For the first time in my life I am TRYING to gain weight. How weird is that? Since our recent "news" I realized that I haven't gained quite enough pounds to support two darlings. My doctor mentioned that had we actually known about this - I should have gained 20 pounds by now. Instead of only half that. One of the babies is really small - they don't seem overly concerned - but of course, we are. So thus operation get fatty has commenced.

So far this is what I know:

I need somewhere around 2,700 calories a day (No idea if that is legit - it's what I have found on line - I was way too in shock to ask my doctor the important questions like weight gain) Mat has become my calorie hitler and I love him for it. He drove me to QT the other day to eat taquitos. Not just 1 but 2 cheesy gooey delicious tacquitos. He brought me the box of girl scout cookies and kept handing me cookies to eat. Literally forced me to eat them (okay, it wasn't THAT hard to enjoy them) Somehow I don't think that the research supports taquitos and girl scout cookies to make up the extra calories so here is the plan:

-make the calories count

-small frequent meals

-eat an extra serving of calcium, iron and protein each day (getting creative with the protein because I could go an entire week without eating meat)

-Add protein supplement to my green smoothies in the morning

-eat cottage cheese (high in protein AND calcium - 2 birds with 1 stone)

-Eat more veggies. I have been craving fruit like crazy the past couple months- but not so much the veggies. I need to get better at that.

-Surely that will be enough, right?

This whole thing has made for a crazy weekend. The shock is getting smaller and the excitement is getting larger by the moment. It wasn't THAT long ago that I really and truly thought we wouldn't be able to get pregnant. Most of our friends had a pretty easy time getting pregnant and I truly believed that we wouldn't be able to since it wasn't happening within my timeframe. And now we are pregnant with twins! Our type A personalities (those poor babies) have felt like they need to have this all planned out in order to be the best parents possible. I really felt like I needed to do 15 weeks worth of research in 1 weekend so that I was armed and ready with knowledge. (even though they HOPEFULLY won't be gracing us with their presence for about 4 more months) In addition to researching diet, I was working on nursery ideas, researching sleep habits, SIDS, how to raise twins - the whole nine yards. I don't know WHY I feel like I have to know all the answers right now. Knowledge is comfort? A plan makes me feel better? It's really becoming a test of faith - I am learning to let go of things...which I am sure is just preparation for the future=) If God has taught me 1 thing over the past year it's that I am definitely not in control=) We were finding that we were letting people's reactions shape our emotions. All of the "Get ready to not sleep; Ouch; OH MY!; It's going to be rough!;" really took a toll on me by the end of Saturday. (WE had TONS of excitement also - it just seemed like the random negative response really got to us). I needed a fresh perspective.

Every time I think of these two getting to have a sister and such a special relationship it brings tears to my eyes (ok-so I have been overly emotional lately - I even cried at the half time show at the KU bball game the other day...Crazy I know) Seriously - twins have a bond that no one can understand. They will always have each other. They will always have a playmate. (Yes I read the entire Sweet Valley series in elementary so I keep thinking about Jessica and Elizabeth and how much I wanted to be their friend) Yesterday morning when I got on facebook a friend of mine (who delivered beautiful twin boys late last week) posted her pictures. I wept - seriously wept hard. These two little guys were holding onto each other. One was even kissing the other. It was amazing. It was at that moment I knew everything was going to be okay- better than okay - fantastic:)

Okay - I am really sorry that this blog has been all about the babies. I needed a little bit of therapy this morning and running is out of the picture. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts - scattered as they are.

Half-Way there!

SOOOOO we've reached the half-way point of this journey. 20 weeks. We also had our first sonogram this morning. Bright and early we headed to our doctor's office - ridiculously excited to find out the big question - Blue or Pink? The tech begins the process and says, "I don't know how to tell you this, but..." (FYI- A sonogram should NEVER be started like with those words) Well my mind goes immediately to the worst: Something has happened and we've lost the baby. I had tried to prepare myself for this situation, knowing that while it isn't common - it is possible. Then she says, "Do you see those blobs? Those are heads." Yes HEADS. Plural. Meaning more than 1. We quickly informed her that twins don't run in either family and there was NO way that I had two babies inside me. After all, I haven't measured big - small in fact-about 1 week behind schedule, I have felt great, still been incredibly active, weight gain has been on track (despite the invasion of girl scout cookies into my life recently) - No signs whatsoever that there could be two babies inside me.

So begins my inner monologue: (*PLEASE note this is a gut reaction. Pretty sure most people would think the same or similar thoughts in our situation)

TWINS!? Nope, not me. Sure, I thought that would be fun when I was like 12 and use to play with Maddie and Lauren, but now that I am truly preggo - I 'm pretty sure 1 at a time is just fine with me. TWINS!? Nope no way. My running partner Lindsay called it from first trimester. She use to tease me on our early morning runs that I was preggo with t win girls. It's Lindsay's fault! She jinxed me! TWINS?!!? Okay, any minute the tech is going to tell us that she was wrong and that other blob is really my liver or kidney or something....Nope. Well I have been really hungry and tired - but that's just the getting up at 4:45 every morning and dragging my butt to the gym - after peeing 30 times during the night. Here lately I HAVE been collapsing on the couch when I get home - just like 1st trimester - but I thought that was just pregnancy? And seriously - who finds out halfway through their pregnancy that they are having TWINS!?! How was this missed? Is that why the heart rate was so high on the doppler - because there were TWO in there?

That's not a peace sign...

So yes the world of twins has taken us by storm today. All we can think about is 2 of everything: strollers, car seats, high chairs, play pins, bouncers, cribs, diapers, (dirty diapers) backpacks, lunch boxes, prom dresses, WEDDINGS!

Yes - those are two little heads - basically the view I would have if I were looking down. Most everyone, including my dad & brother thought it was 1 boy and that the middle part was a you know what - but nope. Those are their heads. Since I am already half-way (Well more than half-way since full term with twins is 37-38 weeks) it's next to impossible to get a clear picture of both of them. Right now the are basically sitting on top of each other facing opposite directions. One was incredibly stubborn and the other was very compliant. Hmmm.... Wonder who takes after who.... I have my thoughts=)

A few facts I have learned in my limited research last night/this morning:

-It is pretty rare for this to happen when it doesn't run in the family and fertility treatments aren't involved

-We are at a slightly higher risk, but of the three types of twin-pregnancies ours' is the lowest risk. Even still, I have to visit a perinatologist in the upcoming weeks for a level 2 sonogram.

-We don't know if they are fraternal or identical. I guess they have to do some testing that is kind of complex and risky - so we will wait for delivery.

- I do have to eat for 3. kind of. From what I read, I need to eat anywhere from 150-300 extra calories just for baby #2.

-I am at a risk for preterm labor. So no more running. (Yes I am bummed, but more than willing to do whatever needs to be done for their safety) Sticking to walking, light lifting and yoga.

-I could deliver safely anytime after April 24. (HOLY CRAP THAT IS AROUND THE CORNER!)

While yes, we are OVERWHELMED we are over the moon EXCITED! We didn't see this blessing coming from miles and miles away. Seeing those two little girls floating around inside me today was indeed a miracle. God has blessed us way more than we can possibly fathom. I woke up early this morning with the words "Doubly Blessed" floating through my mind. We are confident that God put these beautiful little girls in our life for a reason and that God will never give us any more than we can manage - with His help of course=) Isn't life a little more interesting when God throws you some curve balls? The more I think about how much I always wanted a sister and how much fun I had playing with sets of twins growing up - the more excited I have become. In the few hours we have known about this we have had so many friends and family reach out with well wishes, prayers, words of wisdom, tubs of clothes, kind offers of equipment, help, promises to babysit, hold babies etc. Both grandmas are already planning their spring / summer around the twins' arrival. (Neither of our families live in Kansas) Their plan is to alternate nights rocking babies. Our family has pledged its support 110%. We feel so loved and lucky to have an amazing group that surrounds us - and thrilled that our two little ladies will share in that love.

To celebrate, I did what any new mom of twins does and went shopping=) (Right?!) I had my heart set on buying cute matching outfits, but the practical side took over since I can deliver anywhere between late April and late May. I thought about how different those times of the year can feel here - Sweaters or sun dresses? Peasant tops or swim-suits? Instead I opted for some adorable hair bows - knowing that girls of mine must have cute accessories (and good accessories last more than 1 season).

Here's to the rest of this journey being just as exciting!!

PS: If anyone has any great twin advice - PLEASE pass it on! We know next to NOTHING about 1 baby, much less TWO!

Donezo

**(Warning: there is a fair amount of whining in this post - but there is hope for all at the end. Skip the whining if you need to.)**

Blah. I am done with this "snow" business. Done with the cold. Done with ice cycles. Done running on treadmills because I refuse to run when it is -15 and there is black ice. Done with wearing 700 layers to stay warm. Done with static-y hair. Done with dry skin. Done with cabin fever. Done. Done. Done. Not sure when KC suddenly became antarctica. During the late summer I LOVE the idea of winter - then it hits and I am more than ready for Spring and summer. We have approximately 18 inches of snow on our deck. Our poor little dogs HATE going outside. The snow is deeper than Dirvey is tall and every time she goes out she gets stuck and doesn't know what to do. So I have to bundle up and go rescue her. It's a mess I tell you.

Yep this "little" guy is one of thousands hanging from my roof

I need sun. I need it so badly that I briefly contemplated going tanning today (I HATE tanning - I just need to feel some rays) And then I remembered I am preggo and that probably makes it a bad idea. So I skipped that idea all together.

I want spring. I want green grass. I want to be able to open my windows and hear birds chirping. I want to go for walks with the dogs. I want to go to the park. I want to drive with my windows down. I want to run in shorts and T-shirts (instead of 29 layers of fleece) I want to enjoy working in the yard and chatting with neighbors. I want to have fresh flowers on my table. I want to have friends over for cookouts on the deck. I want to put a fire in the fire pit. I want to sit outside at night and look at the stars. I want to go to the pool. I WANT SUN!

Since I am obviously DONE with winter, I have complied a winter survival list. I am considering this a must to make it through until April. (Lord please let spring come before April this year!) While these items don't make me feel like I am on a beach in Tahiti, they do help ease winter's chill.

1. Burt's Bees Body Butter. This is a MUST. I have been trying to find SOMETHING to take away my dry itchy skin. I use lotions and creams like no-bodies business, but not until I found this did my skin truly start to get softer. Mat informed me as we were going to bed that I smelled like a peanut butter & honey sandwich, but whatev. I had soft skin.

2. Burt's Bees Lip Balm. We are quite the BB family. ( I also use their mama bee tummy cream - love it). A nightly ritual necessity for me. Just the regular old lip balm. Nothing fancy.

3. Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream. This stuff is simply amazing. I used it as a teenager and just recently started using it again. It is the ONLY hand creme that will take the dry flakes off the back of my hand.

4.North Face Oso hoodie. We are also a North Face family. This was an amazing Christmas gift from Mat. I love this fleece. It is incredibly soft and furry. I love it so much that he bought me the matching hat and gloves. They are all in black. I pretty much look like a giant gorilla, but I don't care. I am warm=) I can wear it under my ski coat if it is really cold and I stay nice and toasty.

5. Smart Wool socks. These little guys rock. My friend Lucas talked us into buying some at the Big Sur Marathon expo last spring. I was hesitant to pay $16 for 1 pair of socks but I love them. So much so that I wear them all the time - not just for running. (Mine are all pink and much cuter than these, but I couldn't find them online)

That's pretty much it. The top 5 things that are keeping me warm so far. What about you? How do you keep warm on days when the high is 0? (And WHAT is up with that KC?!) Until April - stay warm friends=)

What a year!

It's hard for me to believe that not only has another year wrapped up, but another DECADE! This past decade saw many exciting things:

-graduating college

-starting my first teaching job

-building and moving into my first home

-adopting my first rescue dog (Harley)

-meeting the man of my dreams at a book store

-getting engaged in a hot-air balloon

-getting married, selling a house, buying a house, moving to a new state, celebrating Mat's

graduation from medical school, finishing my masters - all within 2 weeks

-adopting our second rescue dog (Dirvey)

-becoming avid KU fans

-running 2 marathons and 3 half-marathons

-expanding our family

This past year has been especially fun:

Rang in 2009 in Vail with some dear friends.

Trained for the Big Sur marathon in the dead of winter.

Traveled to Denver for spring break.

Headed to California with some good friends to run Big Sur.

Coached my elementary running team,

Enjoyed a girls' weekend in OK.

Celebrated with several friends as they added to their family.

Mat started his cardiology fellowship

Found out our little family was growing.

Enjoyed season season football and basketball tickets at KU.

Celebrated Christmas with our whole family in Denver.

What a year! God has blessed us in so many ways. We are incredibly grateful for blessings both big and small. We look forward to not only this new year, but this new decade to see what God has in store for us.

Looking toward this new year, I've made several resolutions: not let the laundry sit in the

basket for days (weeks), keep my house cleaner, not text when I drive (I know! I know! - its my multi-tasking side!) eat healthier, run a half marathon this fall, enjoy a weekly date night with Mat.... I could go on and on. I love setting goals. I've found that being a goal oriented person means that I am not always focused on the present and enjoying it for what it is. So overall this

year - I want to be present. I want to be in each moment of the day that God gives me. I don't want to live in the future - waiting for the next big thing. As I look back at all the blessings of last year - I realize I was constantly saying, "after the marathon...., after school lets out...., after Mat starts fellowship...., after we get pregnant...." This year I want to be in the moments for what they are - good or bad. I want to be present in conversations with friends and family. I want to take time to enjoy the small things in life: a lazy afternoon, a coffee date with a friend,

my kids at school, watching a basketball game with Mat. I want to be THERE this year.

Here's to 2010 and a great new year and the start of a fantastic new decade!!

Ringing in 2010 with our good friends, the Santas and the Kellers

Including #10 in our celebration

Drew teaching Mat about how to take care of babies.

Here's to 2010 and a great new year and the start of a fantastic new decade!!