Valentine's Day 2021

Today is Valentine's Day and I can't believe how much the kids have grown in just one year. On my social media throwback memories some pictures that I took last year popped up and the kids look so young to me, especially Grant. He was still such a baby and I miss it even though I do love the stage he's in right now. Also in my memories were pictures that I took of all three in 2019 and I loved those just as much. Because of how happy those memories made me I knew I had to take some pictures of them as well this year. They all agreed on one condition, I had to also take a second picture of them holding their new Pokemon plush toys that they received this morning as their little Valentine's gift. I actually think their smiles were even bigger in their Pokemon picture haha. Danny may have spoiled them this year by ordering them those plush toys because they aren't very cheap, but the kids do play with them which is nice compared to the many toys they have and don't even touch. At least we know they'll play with these. I thought their Pokemon obsession that started around two years ago would have faded by now but here we are and they very much still love all things Pokemon.

Pictures below are the ones that popped up this morning on my social media. These are from 2019 and 2020.

 

Addie woke up very early this morning hoping to start off Valentine's Day as soon as possible and was a little grumpy that she had to wait for her brothers to wake up. She actually didn't have to wait and we explained that to her that she could go ahead and enjoy her Valentine's Day gift and treat (which were skittles) but she insisted that she wanted to do it when they do it but was also upset that we wouldn't go wake them up. Danny and I were a little frustrated that we weren't sleeping because she was in our room and kept talking and she was equally upset that her brothers were sleeping. It's all okay though and it worked out. I gifted Danny with some new Nintendo Switch joy con paddles and he gifted me with a new Mario Brothers Switch game and cheesecake filled chocolate covered strawberries. I'll take chocolate covered strawberries over flowers any day and every time. The kids especially loved Dad's new Nintendo paddles because we had a boxing game that we couldn't play before due to not having enough paddles for everyone.

Danny also made a delicious roast beef Sunday dinner and the kids ate so well and then went to play amongst themselves which was super nice because for once Danny and I were just able to sit and talk at the table. There's a questionnaire being shared all week on social media so we decided to answer the questions together. The questionnaire is below:

Valentine's Day Challenge

First Date: we technically met on a blind date but the first date where he asked me out was to Color Me Mine which is place you paint ceramics. 

How long have you been together: eight years

Married: 7 1/2

Age Difference: I'm two months older and he doesn't let me forget it. :)

Who was interested first: Him

Who said I love you first: Him

Most Impatient: It depends. If it's food related than I am. If it's driving or sometime's kid related it's him.

Most Sensitive: Definitely me.

Loudest: In group settings it's neither of us.

Most Stubborn: Him

Falls asleep first: It depends on who is the least stressed. We go back and forth on being the fast sleeper. Although I can sleep any time anywhere and he can't always.

Better Cook: Both of us. I can cook well but he enjoys cooking more.

Better Morning Person: Definitely him.

Better Driver: He says both but I say him. 

Most Competitive: Hands down it is me.

Funniest: I think I'm funny but he doesn't see it.

Where do you eat out most as a couple: Tucanos or Rodizio Grill.

Who is more social: Me

Who is the neat freak: 100% me.

Where was your first kiss: my front porch

How long did it take to get serious: two months but we were pretty exclusive shortly after we met.

Plans date night: Haha we never have time for dates anymore. It used to be me though. Now neither.

Who picks where you go to dinner: Him because I can never make a decision.

Who wears the pants in the relationship: I say him. He says both.

Who cries more: Me. I've maybe seen him cry three times our whole marriage.

Who sings better: Him. He has the voice of an angel :)

Who hogs the remote: Neither of us. We don't watch a lot of tv and when we do we watch the same show together.

Did you go to the same school: No

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together: California. It was supposed to be Europe but that of course didn't happen.

Who drives when you are together: always him. I prefer it that way.

Who spends more money: Him.

New Family Vehicle

We crossed off a big item from our to do list and got ourselves a new family vehicle! Our previous van wasn't big enough to fit all of our family in it which was unfortunate because it would have been really nice to not have any car payments. But it also feels good to know that we were able to get a really good deal on a van that should be more reliable in the long run. I've been eyeing cars online for the last two weeks and when this one popped up online I knew we'd have to go look at it. It's a 2018 Honda Odyssey with everything we wanted included even though we would have done without if needed. Apparently the Honda Odyssey is the only minivan on the market that fits five carseats in it. You would think that this would be a standard in all minivans but it's not and its the main reason we had to get rid of our Chrysler Town and Country. By the time we were able to go look at the van it had already been online for three days and we later found out it was constantly being called about. We pulled up to the dealership just mere seconds before another family pulled up to look at the same van we were interested in. I didn't know this but Danny noticed them. While we were unloading the kids he told me that I could go ahead and go inside to ask about it and that he'd join me with the boys. Addie went with me and had I known to be in a hurry I would have waddled faster but like I said I didn't know we had another family right behind us and anyway we made it to the door and was able to look at the van we wanted first. It's a good thing Danny was more aware of our surroundings and sent me in or we would have missed the opportunity to snag this van up. Danny and I knew as soon as we saw the car that it would be ours by the end of the day. It was everything we wanted but more importantly it was everything we needed. I still can't believe that in just about three weeks we will be adding two more carseats for our new additions. No one but Pollyanna knows we are even buying a new car so luckily we haven't dealt with the why questions from any family members but I'm mentally prepared to answer any questions that might come up without giving away our surprise and the real reason for the need to get a new car.

Oh also that family that was interested in the van as well tried to work their magic and get us not to go through the sale and I felt bad because I could see that they really wanted it too but the fact that we don't have much time left and that this vehicle was perfect for us was enough to not stray away. I'm sure they'll find something just as good for their family of four. :) 

Here's to hoping we can pay this one off just as quickly as we have done to our previous cars. 😁

New Car

Old Car

Update: Growth Scan

I have been so anxious and nervous this entire week. It's felt like a lot to be honest. I had three appointments this week - two were with the Maternal Fetal Medicine and one was with the regular OB. My first appointment was okay and everything was looking fine. As I was waiting to speak with the specialist near the end of that appointment the specialist rushed in and asked me to follow her to the front desk. There had been a cancellation and she wanted me to get that available slot before it went to someone else. This was my first time even meeting this particular specialist and I instantly got nervous with how urgent everything suddenly seemed. After that available appointment became mine (meaning I now had four appointments for the week) we went back to the ultrasound room to talk. She told me that she really wanted me to have that appointment because instead of waiting to do the growth scan next week on the 8th she felt strongly I needed to have it done this week. Depending on how that appointment goes will determine if I'll be having these babies this weekend, next week or if I can stay pregnant even longer. I was already nervous but now even more so. She went on to tell me that the monitoring I've been getting done has all looked great and that were no concerns with the blood cord flow or the fluid pockets so I was confused why so far all of the doctors have been telling me that everything looks okay but that I'll need to deliver early.

It wasn't until my next appointment which was the next day that I was able to get some clarifications on that. I was seeing my OB and he repeated what everyone else has said about the ultrasounds looking good but that he felt like he should be very cautious and that my c section should be scheduled soon. That's when I told him how confused I was because if everything looked good why do they need to be born before term? He explained that the fact that they are measuring small and in the growth restricted range is what's making everyone nervous because no one knows why they are measuring small. It could be nothing and just genetics and the fact that they are just on the smaller side naturally or it could be huge and signs of the placenta giving up which is very dangerous for both babies. He explained that their ultimate goal is to avoid two stillbirths and they just want the babies here healthy and alive. After hearing him explain this to me I finally understood and could see that they just don't want to miss any signs that could lead to fatal outcomes. Of course I also want to end this pregnancy in the best possible outcome for these girls. The doctor told me that if all looks good at my final appointment of the week where I'd get the growth scan done that I could possibly push the delivery date until February 22nd which is just before 35 weeks gestation. Obviously if the girls are still showing small then we're looking at a very soon delivery date. The doctor asked if I'd like to tentatively schedule the C Section already or wait until after I see how the growth scan goes and I opted to wait just a little to see the results.

Today was the day the growth scan day finally came and I was very nervous. I had Danny give me a blessing earlier in the week but I was still feeling very anxious. I was very pleased with how it turned out though. The sonographer was able to get all the measurements she needed and I was feeling calm just from her demeanor about it all. She did tell me that the babies were looking good and that she felt good about their weight. Baby A was now measuring 3 lbs 15 ounces and Baby B was measuring 3 lbs 14 ounces. That's a full pound heavier from when the concerns were first brought up so I was happy to see they have been growing and are almost four pounds each.

The specialist came in and was very happy as well with the results. She told me how excited she was to tell me that the babies went from being in the 8% to 16%. She said they are no longer considered as growth restricted and the fact that both babies progressed is very positive news. She told me that she was fully prepared to tell me that I'd have to deliver these babies tomorrow but now feels like I can make it pregnant into March which has always been my personal goal for these babes. I was really happy to hear that. She told me that she'd like me to still continue getting stress tests done twice a week with weekly ultrasounds but that I could start picturing myself delivering full term twin girls. That was music to my ears. I know I'm not completely out of the woods and that I need to stay prepared for anything but I'm feeling optimistic and want to continue feeling this way.

At 32 weeks my belly is measuring 43!