I was doing so well updating every week but the last few weeks have been a little crazy. Well, not really, just seemed like we always forgot to do the pic when we got home or on the nights we remembered I was still in my PJs and didn't feel like getting appropriate for a picture. Gross I know but I've just been so tired lately that some days I don't even want to get out of bed. Until about 5 minutes ago I thought it had only been 2 weeks since my last update but then realized it has actually been three weeks.
So much has happened in the last three weeks. We had the big 20 week anatomy scan ultrasound which took about 2 hours of just laying on a table and them poking and prodding my belly with an ultrasound wand to look at every. single. detail. of each baby. By the end, my back was killing me. I was so relieved there was only 2 babies in there because otherwise I would have needed a long break. And praise The Lord for two healthy babies. We also did a gender reveal party with our immediate families which was a blast and so exciting. My brother Kevin took pictures with his camera and he has been out of town in Texas for Christmas with his wife, Julie's family for a while so I haven't gotten any of the pictures from him. I will post them as soon as I do. We were at home for a week before Christmas. It was fun getting to see a lot of our families and friends and share the big news. As most of you probably already know, we found out that we will be welcoming two sweet baby BOYS to our little family. We are beyond excited! Smith Taylor and Sanford "Ford" Tate will be here before we know it. Some people have asked us where we got the names. Smith is my mom's maiden name, Taylor is Zane's (Zach's brother) middle name -and we just like it-, Sanford is Zach's mom's maiden name, and Tate is just a name that we both liked. We both loved the idea of family names and also wanted them to be different yet not weird. I highly doubt many people will have trouble spelling or pronouncing Smith Taylor or Sanford Tate. At least I hope not. This Christmas was a blast and its hard to believe that its the last Christmas that it will be just the two of us. We are so blessed and excited for what the future holds.
(Well, actually 21 weeks 6 days but who's really counting?)
Holy cow I'm looking pretty huge these days! I swear these boys have grown a foot since my last update!
How big is baby? The boys are about 11 inches long and weighing in at almost 1 lb (about the size of a spaghetti squash). **These stats are pulled from a website. I'm pretty sure they told us at my 20 week ultrasound that they were already about 11 inches long so they are probably bigger now. These stats are just an average among babies at this age. Just an FYI**
What is baby up to? Their lips, eyebrows, and eyelids are becoming more distinct. They're even developing tiny tooth buds under their gums. Their eyes have formed but the irises (colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment.
Maternity clothes? Definitely.
Stretch marks? More and more every week. My belly looks like I am growing two tiger cubs instead of human beings. That's okay. They're worth it.
Sleep? Its getting more and more difficult. Zach has already admitted that he will soon be sleeping either in the guest room bed or in his recliner. I just need to sprawl out even more these days and this queen size bed we've got just isn't cutting it. When he leaves for work I literally spread out and take up the entire bed. Its the best sleep I get.
Best moment this week? Literally about 2 days after our 20 week ultrasound, I started feeling little tiny movements in my belly. They really just felt like muscle twitches. They are still pretty small but are getting more and more noticeable. Last night I could even tell that someone was kicking my bladder because it would give me the sudden urge to go potty. Its a crazy feeling knowing that those "twitches" are really a tiny human being stretching and moving around in my belly.
Miss anything? Sleep, Diet Mountain Dew (even though I must admit I drink one every so often when I need an extra pick-me-up), did I mention sleep?, being able to wear regular shoes without every inch of my body not aching, my energy, oh, and did I mention sleep? (I feel like this list gets longer and longer with every post)
Feeling movement yet? For about 2 weeks now. One baby is sitting down low on my bladder and the other is sitting way up high kicking me in the ribs occasionally and crowding my stomach.
Food cravings? Still cucumbers (yumm), lots and lots of water. We finally found a Japanese hibachi restaurant close by. We've already eaten there twice within just a few days of finding out about it. Yumm!!
Food aversions? BBQ. Oh, and I've recently discovered that the smell of coffee is extra strong with my pregnant nose and is a bit nauseating. I have to avoid Starbucks.
Started showing? Ha! I should probably just remove this question altogether.
Gender? Two BOYS!!! Smith and Ford!
Signs of labor? No.
Belly button, in or out? Still in but getting more and more shallow.
Wedding rings, on or off? I've started swelling a little so I usually only wear my engagement ring.
Mood? I think better but maybe you should ask Zach. I doubt he would agree.
Looking forward to...? We are going with some friends to NYC for New Years Eve tomorrow night. Thankfully we are going to be on a boat cruising the Hudson River. I don't know if I would have been too excited if we were going to have to be walking and standing all night. Should be fun though. Its just another one of those bucket list items we can check off.
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For those of you asking, I promise I will post gender reveal pictures as soon as I can get them from my brother. I'm excited to see them too. Keep the prayers coming. They are greatly appreciated. Love y'all!
