Where's the beef?

Okay, this weight thing is finally starting to annoy me. I know most pregnant women gain weight at different times and in different ways.

I haven't gained an ounce in almost three weeks. Not an ounce! So, all in all, I have gained about 7 pounds total, and I am almost in week 18. My doctor says its fine, but I am getting concerned. I have not been able to exercise at all, and I have pretty much eaten everything I have wanted to. So, I don't get it. Normally, I wouldn't care. In fact, I should be rejoicing. But, the problem is that I am supposed to gain 4o-45 pounds. And knowing Prater's Law, I am going to gain 30 pounds in a week or something. I am just wanting this to be a gradual pound here and there, ya know?

YAY! I'm finally pregnant!

Well, LOL, of course I am pregnant, but I still am in denial about this whole thing. It is all just so unbelievable. So, two things happened this week in everyday life to make me believe this is actually happening. (I guess I am just not believing the u/s tech when she is actually "seeing babies in there, tehe)

Thing 1. I was in Ft. Campbell, KY working on Tuesday. For those who don't know, its a military base, so you have to stop and basically trade over your first born to gain entry. But, they have a few schools there that I need to go visit. So, as I am approaching the counter, I try to lean up close like I normally do and rest my arms on top. Well, something was blocking me from doing that and I assumed it was a shelf or something that I was bumping into. Turns out it was my belly!! My belly was actually big enough to prevent me from going all the way up to the counter. So cool!!!

Thing 2. Me and my friend went to see Julie and Julia (wonderful, wonderful movie, BTW). And for what I think may be the first time, I felt my little girl moving around. She is up on my left side right against my ribs. I can't really explains whan it feels like. It is kind of a fluttering sensation that feels like a big whoose of air goes through my stomach. It kind of makes me short of breath. Well, now that I'm typing it, I am hoping it was a baby and not a heart attack or something, jeez. One time during the movie, you could even feel her. Some part of her was jutting out of my stomach. So surreal, and so cool. Love this! I can't wait for them to start kicking. I am on the edge of my seat. Jake will be so excited.

Nursery ponderings

Okay, so you all know I have already found the cribs. And now I am in bedding, bedding, bedding mode. I am not sure if its my nesting instinct kicking in, or my incessant need to have things done. (I mean, who knows, I can be on bed rest here in a few weeks, then what would happen?) Or, the fact that I love decorating, and can't wait to get started.

Actually, its probably a little bit of all of the above.

1. First things first. I LOVE my cribs. But someone is going to have to stop me from glazing and distressing them. Or should I? Because I am DYING to. Many pieces of furniture in my house have been distressed/glazed by me, and I love the look. But, I also love my cribs as is, too. The problem is that the two nurseries I have found online that I love both have glazed cribs. So, I need your help with this and what you think about the bedding, but we'll get to that in a minute.

2. Bedding. As with the cribs, I have been looking online at bedding for months and months, and have many, many websites saved into favorites. Then my fabulous conundrum happened (boy AND girl), and I have two beds to decorate. Here in lies the problem. I am NOT a themey, matchy-matchy girl. And my nursery will not be a themey matchy-matchy nursery. I want it very simple, very classic, very vintage french. Ok, so here are my favorite, favorite nurseries that I have kept coming back to that I love.

Toile Nursery

I think this is a beautiful bedding/crib that is shades of bronze beige, and a light aqua. If I do these materials, I would do the same for the girl and boy, but make the girl's crib bedding more girly - ruffles on top of the bumper, and satin bows in the same material as the skirt, and keep the full skirt look. For the boy's, I was going to keep the bumper like it is, no ruffles, no frills, and make the skirt more of a box pleat - more masculine. What do you think? I am thinking this material is feminine enough to go boy/girl.

French Nursery

Now with this one, I can do one of two things. Keep the bedding as-is. Which is cremes, very light blue satins, cotton and silk. But, because it's so light, I can maybe find a very very light blush pink to use as well. So do the light blue/cream, and the blush/cream. Or, I can keep them the same.

Of course, my all-time favorite nursery has been J. Lo's. I am in love with this look. But, I am now with a white crib, so I need SOME color.

So, what do you think? Yes, I do realize that they both look alot alike. I guess I am just wondering if I should do a blue/pink solid combo, or just stick with the toile. And, no, they aren't the same cribs: the toile crib was store bought, and the french one was diy. Also, what about the cribs? Stain or leave white? I'm sure the white would be just as pretty, so someone just needs to tell me no, LOL.

Got the cribs!

Bratt Decor White Crib

Bratt Decor Crib

(it converts into a toddler bed later)

I got the cribs already - I can't believe it. This is soooo not Prater's Law*. They are white with an antique rubbed finish. I am very excited to have them, they will be beautiful.

I am BEYOND excited right now. Waaaaayyy before I was even pregnant, I would look at Craigslist for Bratt Decor cribs. (fabulous, fabulous cribs, and it might also be a little cool that it is the brand all the celebs use, tehe) I just love that brand, and would just always see what was out there.

Fast forward to the day before yesterday, when I decided to look on Nashville's just for fun to see what was on there. They had a FAB Bratt Decor white crib for $200 with mattress! This would easily be well over $800 in the store. The only thing it doesn't have is the conversion kit to a toddler bed, which is $180, which I am ok with. So, I decided to buy it. They are never on Craigslist that cheap. They are still like 400-500 bucks used. And I figured I had plenty of time to find another one like it.

Then the night before last, I decided just to look on Craigslists where my family lives just for giggles. (Knoxville, Atlanta, and Dallas) Freaking Knoxville had the EXACT same crib!! INCLUDING mattress AND conversion kit for only $250!!! That would be over $1000 retail. This never happens!! And trust me, I have been looking for Bratt Decor on Craigslists (multiple sites) for probably a year or so. And I have found two exactly the same, within a day of each other.

Are these people crazy? Do they know they could sell them for a lot more than 200?? Who cares! I am so happy!!! And is it bad that I am only 16 weeks and have my cribs, LOL??

*Prater's Law is alot like Murphy's Law, only worse. Instead of it being like you have saved up for a vacation, and your water heater goes out, Prater's Law is a coined term by us. It is when the poor Praters just can't catch a break. Nothing seems to work out the way we want it to. And it's usually the most random things.

16 weeks - update on me!

shirt down and shirt up

Woohoo! 16 weeks! Flying by, I tell you. Football season is right around the corner, and my big belly is going to look fabulous in orange. A beautiful pumpkin, I bet. We just got back from a trip to Las Vegas and I did well I think for a preggo. I got to eat a bunch, and hung out at the pool, and if I was gambling, noone smoked at my table, so all was good! These babies are very well traveled. They have been to Atlanta, New York, Hilton Head, and Las Vegas so far. Wow! Now, this is either really great to get to travel before the babies get here and our life will change in an instant, or really sad as we have gone on so many trips. We need to get in saving money mode pronto.

How far along? 16 weeks, 3 days (will post a new belly pic soon)
Total weight gain/loss: Still doing really well, maybe even too well. I have only gained half a pound since my visit two weeks ago, putting my total weight gain at 6 or 7 pounds. That made me promptly go to the nearest Jack in the Box for a chicken biscuit. (They serve breakfast all day!) However, according to this post, I should expect a growth spurt, which will probably mean on the outside as well as the inside, LOL.
Maternity clothes? Nope, none since my jeans I bought at 14 weeks. Best moment this week: only going up half a pound since two weeks ago, and that INCLUDES all my Vegas eating!
Movement: I "think" I am starting to feel flutters. I don't know for sure since this is the only pregnancy I have ever had, but I am thinking thats what it is.
Food cravings: Again, nothing too weird. Love me some chicken biscuits though. I think the only real thing I am supposed to focus on is my protein intake and water intake. I am "supposed to get around 80 grams of protein a day, which is crazy hard.
Gender: Still a boy and a girl! No extra parts in there!
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? I am destined to be an outy girl. Its half way out and shows through my clothes already. *sigh*, and I am only 16 weeks!
What I miss: The no drinking is Vegas was hard, but only for the first day. then I got used to it and didn't care.
What I am looking forward to: I am buying a crib off Craigslist tomorrow. It is a Bratt Decor, which I have been looking for even before I was pregnant. They are really nice and expensive and what all the celebs buy (LOL) I am getting a STEAL on this one, and I figure I have plenty of time to find another one as a deal. There is no way I could especially buy two at normal price, so Craigslist is the way to go.
Milestones: Getting closer and closer to 20 weeks, then I'll stop freaking out. Am still in "scared mode". Trust me, this is a big risk-taking venture for me to buy a crib already.
Realization of the week: That I am pregnant!! Really, for reals, pregnant! We are REALLY going to have kids in a few months. Seriously???

16 weeks - guacamole! Mmmmm...

Baby Stribs - 16 Weeks

How your baby's growing:Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop. (Ummm, yes, am guessing my body is pumping waaay more blood, as that would explain the weekly/daily nose bleeds I am getting - gross, but true)

How your life's changing: The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

Ultrasound appt at 16 weeks

Baby Boy Stribling

Baby Girl Stribling (alien face Stribs)

Doesn't she look just like Jake? - Ha!!

I am feeling oh so special. I love all the attention at the doctors office. Those poor women with only one baby. How could they stand not having an ultrasound every two weeks? I have a bi-monthly date to see my babies, and it is awesome. When I called to set it up this last time, I asked if I was also getting an ultrasound, and the lady was like, "Ummm, no, were you under the impression that you would always have one?", and I was like, "Ummmm, YES, are you kidding me? I want one every time!". Luckily (ha, ha) my ovaries are so wacko, that my doctor does want a ultrasound every time.

Next up is a super fun thing that goes along with pregnancy - the 24 hour urine test. Woohoo! This Sunday I have to carry a big gallon jug around with me, and collect a day's worth of peepee. They have to check a full day's worth to check protein levels. I just feel sorry for the poor person's whose job it is to do this.

Then at 19 weeks we get another big, long scan. They will then again measure everything on Baby girl and Baby boy: head, spine, kidneys, bladder, heart, etc, etc.

I will try to scan in pictures from today. They aren't very good :( Baby Boy was being a rock star for the camera and Baby girl was being camera shy. She finally faced us head on and looked like a weird alien baby. And I told Jake she is taking after his looks. Then I got to chuckling and couldn't stop and the ultrasound tech had to wait until I finished b/c the babies were going nuts, LOL.

Baby J's

We are trying to stick with J names for the baby boy and girl. Jake is the third generation of "J" first name and the same middle name, so we have to stick with a "J" for him. So, we are trying out J names for girls too. We are having a hard time agreeing on anything. We are very different in terms of what we like. Which, I definitely think all parents go through, right? So, for the meantime, we are going to think J's, and if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But, we are going to try. Any ideas out there?

Dr. Appt- 14 weeks

We went last week and met with a specialist at Vanderbilt Radiology and Imaging. They wanted to do a complete scan of my right and left ovary. It was scary-looking to say the least. They are now stretched up and down, b/c due to the babies, they have nowhere to go but stretch upwards. She literally was using her little hand instrument to scan all the way up into my ribs!! So, they are literally from my uterus stretched up to each set of ribs - still huge, still covered in cysts. The are both doing fine, its just I am still not allowed to do any movements. They keep telling me everything will be normal once my hormones regulate themselves...We'll see...

On to the exciting stuff. Here is sweet little picture of Baby Boy Stribling and Baby Girl Stribling. Also, a cute one of Baby Boy's "parts". Definitely a Boy! We confirmed Baby Girl's, but couldn't get a good picture of hers.

Baby Girl Stribling

Baby Boy Stribling

Baby Boy Stribling's "Parts" :)

(He's going to love this picture when he's older - I just know it)

14 Weeks - update on me!

14 Weeks! (well, actually, almost 15, but I have neglected posting in a while - sorry about that!) I know I say this at every post, but I can't believe this is going so fast. And on the flip side, I CANNOT wait to meet this sweet little baby girl and baby boy. Jake and I are finally now to the point where we are so excited. I have since been obsessed with naming these little ones, as well as bombarding him with nursery ideas. He wants none of that and assures me we have plenty of time. But I can't help it. I am so excited. I can't wait until they have names. I have already been talking to them like they are in front of me, and it would be nice to know who I am talking to
:)

How far along? 14 Weeks, 6 days
Total weight gain/loss: WooHoo! Still doing good. 6.5 pounds so far, as of our OB appointment on Thursday, August 6th. Although, I am still not certain on what pace I am supposed to be gaining said weight. They say that the 2nd trimester in when you start packing on the pounds, because the babies are starting to weigh more and all the mess around them is too. If I am supposed to gain 45-50 pounds, I just hope they all don't surprise me at once.
Maternity clothes? I bought my very first maternity piece of clothing - a pair of jeans from Old Navy. I really can't fit into anything else with a waistband, so I have been mostly wearing dresses, which have been great to wear during the summer.
Sleep: Still can't sleep very well. I cannot get comfortable. Poor Jake. I toss and turn most of the night, then will get up and go in the bonus room. I am trying so hard to sleep on my left side, but most of the time wake up on my back. I did get about 3 nights of really good sleep this week, so maybe it's looking up. Although, I go back out into the field tomorrow (Monday) so sleep will be important now!
Best moment this week: Getting to go to Vanderbilt Imaging. While we though they were just going to do a complete sonogram of my yucky, HUGE ovaries, they ended up measuring everything on the babies!! It was so fun, and very unexpected. We saw and measured the kidneys, spleen, abdomen, spine, leg bones, arm bones, brain, etc. They are measuring a little ahead of schedule and growing so fast. They are weighing about 4oz. each. They were kicking into each other's sacs as well, and I was like, "Good grief, they are already fighting"
Movement: None yet!
Food cravings: Still nothing weird, just alot of my normal foods. Love the spicy foods, and love to finish it off with "a little something sweet"
Gender: Last week, it was also a great surprise when we were able to see their "parts". Girl and Boy!!! So, we ended up finding out very soon. Most find out at 20 weeks, so I am very happy!
Labor Signs: This is just a scary question.
Belly Button in or out? Uggggg....I am going to be an outy mamma. It is closer and closer to getting there.
What I miss: Sleep...but I don't care!
What I am looking forward to: Naming our babies and start the nesting process!
Milestones: I am "officially" out of the scary first trimester!
Realization of the week: How completely blessed and lucky we are. I was at our favorite little sushi place here in Brentwood, and the waitress was asking me what we're having, etc. And I told her, and she said, "Oh, WOW! You have hit the jackpot!". And I was thinking, "You know what? We certainly have!"

14 Weeks!

How your baby's growing?

Diet Crystal Light lemonade!

From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches (about the size of a lemon) and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! (Baby Boy Stribling was on his 13 week ultrasound - precious!) Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

How your life's changing: Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. (A TAD??? I look like I am at least 5 months along with a singleton!) Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.