Is dad sitting down?

Bryce and I had decided shortly after having Peyton that we wanted more kids and that 2 years was a good gap.  After several months of trying, we were excited to learn at the end of February that we were pregnant! It made those months of waiting worth it!

Over the next few weeks we shared with family that we were excited to make Peyton a big sister in November. A few weeks after learning we were pregnant I had a trip planned to visit my sister and niece, with Peyton and my mom...I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity to get to tell my sister in person.  So the plan was to put Peyton in a big sister shirt and wait for them to notice! 

My sister was the first to notice, even though my mom was the first to see her at the hotel and even commented on her cute outfit. (apparently she didn't actually read the shirt!) Everyone was super excited....and I was glad to have the cat out of the bag, as I was already feeling blah, horrible, like CRAP!  

Fast forward 2 weeks to our ultrasound......The day of the ultrasound I had told Bryce I was anxious for our appointment to see baby and he informed me that he forgot about our 2:30 appointment and he had a meeting from 1:00-2:00.  I was PISSED!! On my way to the appointment Bryce called to let me know that he was on his way.  Our ultrasound tech was AWESOME and said she would wait until he arrived.  

So 20 minutes later Bryce showed up and I was changing for the ultrasound.  In the office there are ultrasound pictures all over the walls, including pictures of twin ultrasounds.  Naturally we joked about what we would do if we saw two (clearly having no clue that we would!).  Bryce joked, it would be time to get snipped.  We both laughed and then the tech came in to get started. 

Not long into the ultrasound the tech says "Well, is dad sitting down?"  

Bryce instantly said  "Is that 2?"

    Babies at 7 weeks 2 days

    Babies at 9 weeks 4 days

And for me the rest is a blur!

Needless to say, Bryce clearly processed the news quicker than I did! 

Now, several weeks later we are still processing what all of this means for us, our family and for the growing babies.  I never really knew a lot about twins....I do now! Yay google and awesome Drs and nurses!

So here are some of the many questions we had and others have asked us:

1. Do twins run in your family?

Actually yes! On both mine and Bryce's side.  However, it doesn't matter that it runs of Bryce's side of the family because the woman is the one releasing the egg.  There is a gene that causes hyper-ovulation...the release of multiple eggs.  However, identical twins has nothing to do with genetics.  It can happen to anyone and is simply the egg splitting in 2 in early fertilization.  

2. Are they identical twins?

We don't know....and may never know unless we do a DNA test.  This is a little confusing but I'll do my best.  The only way to tell if you definitely have identical twins without DNA is if both babies are sharing EVERYTHING (sac and placenta).  My babies have their own sac and we cannot tell yet if they have their own placenta.  If the babies are opposite sex....they are clearly fraternal twins.  In fact, identical twins are quite rare.  So all in all, we may NEVER know if these babies are identical (even fraternal twins can look almost exactly alike).

3. Are they natural?

These babies are all natural! No fertility drugs used.

4. Did you have any idea you were pregnant with twins?

Nope! Not a clue...otherwise we probably wouldn't have joked about it.  I suppose I did have signs...I experienced symptoms almost right away!  Nausea hit before I even had a positive test and extreme exhaustion hit right after.  I assumed it was all normal....I had heard you can experience things sooner with your second pregnancy...so I thought nothing of it.  

What's it like with 2 in there?!?!

1. I wake up feeling hungover....everyday!

2. I get really really hungry, to the point of feeling sick, but can't eat very much before I feel super full! Sometimes I can't even finish a meal.  And then I'm hungry again soon after.  When those babies are hungry....I better feed them, stat!!!

3. I wake up tired, am super exhausted by the end of the day. But I can't always seem to take a nap or fall asleep early no matter how tired I am! 

4. My lower abdomen always feels SO full!!

5. Double the babies, means double the hormones, which means.....double the CRAZY!! Yep, that's right, my poor husband must endure all the extra crazy that accompanies the extra baby.  More crying, more worrying, more anxiety, more CRAZY!

I'm sure as this journey continues and these babies grow....so will this list!

A memorable trip!!

Well Peyton survived her first plane ride and hotel stay!!! She did really well on the plane...she slept the first half going both ways and then managed to stay entertained the rest of the time!

We had such a great visit out to California for my niece's 2nd birthday! It was so fun watching the girls interact....especially since they are complete opposites. My niece is very quiet, polite and loves to organize and have clean things....and Peyton, well...is the exact opposite!! She is loud, destructive and loves a good mess...totally my kid! ;). Lila was so great with Peyton though, she would share with her and try to help her....eek so cute!!

There were several sweet moments between the two girls where they would hug and give each other kisses...but of course none of us were quick enough with the cameras when it happened.  I guess some memories are just held in the heart. 

I am definitely thankful for the trip. But it also made me sad that my sister doesn't live closer.  We have been lucky the last few years to get to see Jennifer a few times a year.  I hope that continues....because I want nothing more than for Peyton and Lila to get to have a close relationship, especially since they are so close in age. She only has one cousin...I want her to grow up knowing her!

A first we could have lived without

Well...Peyton's "cold" or "draining sinuses" I spoke of a few days ago turned out to be a DOUBLE EAR INFECTION!! Needless to say Peyton's minor symptoms of cough and runny nose quickly turned really bad over the weekend.  Peyton was horribly miserable. She wouldn't sleep and would have crying spells of unstoppable crying.

My mommy instincts quickly told me that something other than a common cold was going on.  So on Monday I dragged my little sickling to the Dr to find out mommy instincts were right on. Little Miss P had an ear infection...in BOTH ears!! Ugh!

So the Dr gave us antibiotics and some ear numbing ear drops (since we are flying on Thursday....Eeek, Tomorrow).  Little P has quickly shown improvement.  She seemed so much better after getting 2 doses in her by Monday night.  She was playing and even laughing a little.  She actually slept Monday night...which we all desperately needed.  And Tuesday morning most of her snotty nose was gone (still a little snot and a little cough...but nothing like before)! I have high hopes that today she will be even better and ready to travel tomorrow. 

But I must say watching your child hurt and be miserable and you not being able to do anything about it is the most horrible feeling in the world! I shared many tears with her over the past few days.  Mommy snuggles can only go so far! 

Wish us luck...

We are getting ready for Peyton's first plane trip this next week!! Peyton, my mom and I are flying out to Calitfornia for my nieces 2nd birthday. We have been super excited about this trip....until the last few day.  Peyton appears to be getting sick. :( she has this horrible phlemmy cough and is not sleeping well! She doesn't appear to have a runny nose or a fever so I'm hoping her sinuses are just draining and she's feeling better by Thursday.  

Anyways....I have nothing but high hopes for how Peyton will do on the plane. She isn't big on crying but sitting still is a whole other story! Hopefully between snacks, books, and me and my mom to entertain her she'll be just fine.  The part I'm REALLY worried about is her sleeping in the hotel room...

Typically at home we will lay her down for bed and close the door and she soon falls asleep on her own...

However....even with a pack and play we don't have that same luxury of being able to put her to bed and close the door! I have a feeling for our long weekend we will be kissing bed time goodbye and she we will probably be sleeping with mom...which ultimately means, little sleep for mom!!

Wish us luck!!

Toddler?!? Already!?!

Peyton is officially a toddler! Goodbye baby and hello toddler! I was just discussing with a friend the other day,

whose daughter is 2 days older than Peyton, that no one told us that by 1 year they would be little people and not babies anymore!!! It is truly amazing how fast it happens.  

Peyton is officially walking EVERYWHERE! No more crawling for this girl.  She also has a handful of words she knows: mom, dada, dog/doggy, hi, no, mum mum (usually means food) and I believe our newest word, over the last couple of days, is...go.  

While it makes me sad that Peyton is losing the baby in her...it sure is fun to do things with her since she is walking, talking and exploring! We have also had several play dates in the last week which has been so fun to see her interact with other littles her size. Yesterday, Peyton and our neighbors daughter were destroying the house together and giving kisses goodbye! <3

I am so excited about this year! We have many plans to play and explore.  While her first year we would get out of the house and run errands or wander the mall, this year we get to get out and go play at the park, go explore the museum or the aquarium. Eeek!!! I can hardly contain my excitement about it all.  

Being a stay at home with a baby is a lot of staying at home.  Because they have to nap and eat frequently.  So now that Peyton is getting a little older and we get to get out and do more together, it really is exciting!

I see many fun adventures is the future....

reflecting on an amazing year...

I haven't blogged in a while, I suppose I got distracted with sewing and my little spit fire of a daughter.  But in exactly 10 days from today, my beautiful little baby will turn 1 year!

I truly can not believe how fast this year has just flown by.  And I feel so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to get to spend my days watching my little baby grow into a little girl.  

It is amazing to think that in a year she has gone from the smallest most precious, helpless little thing to a walking (not quite all the time but close) talking (everything is a dog right now) burst of personality.  

Yesterday while Peyton was napping I flipped through all of her pictures from the day she was born and just couldn't believe how much she has grown and how much love she has brought to me and Bryce and our families.  

A friend of mine just had her precious little boy the other day and as I congratulated her and held her family in my thoughts I couldn't help but think about myself a year ago.  And I never knew the love that I would feel until Peyton was right here with us and I felt such joy and love that my friend was going to get to experience that same thing. There truly is nothing like it.  

Enough of the sap...as I reflect on Peyton's first year of life and her growth from a baby to a toddler, I realize that parenting isn't about what you do for your child ( yes that is part of it, as we provide them with necessary essentials of life) but really it is about how you guide them through the world and help them to discover all that surrounds them. Bryce and I used to joke that when I was pregnant I was going to be a psychotic parent...maybe over protective.  But really, I am the exact opposite.  

I let my child do many things that some parents probably shake their heads at, but....I don't care.  I live in a house without baby gates (well, we have one...for the dogs) because I refuse to limit my child's play area or live stepping over gates.  I let my child play on the fireplace and the stairs, with close supervision, because how else is she going to learn to be careful or how to get up and down the steps.  I let my child play in the dog food and dog water because, honestly it is hard to keep her away from them.  I let my child unwrap presents under the tree even if it means that I have to re-wrap them later....because I think it is funny.  I let my child make huge messes while eating and feed the dogs (even though both drive my husband nuts) because I believe that is part of being a kid. I let me child crawl on the floor at stores and restaurants (if it isn't busy) because I don't see anything wrong with it.  

The point is, as a parent I want for Peyton to experience the world, all of it.  And for me part of that is letting her be a kid and do kid things.  My job isn't to stop her because people are staring or because she may bonk her head...but my job is rather to enjoy it with her and pick her back up if she does bonk her head.

Life shouldn't be about limits, not just yet, it should be about discovery.  And I love that Peyton wants to discover and that I get to be apart of that everyday.