Our Story ❤

I saw some blogs were posting about their weddings. Since our *4* year anniversary is coming up- I thought I would save that post for August 1st! :) 

Andrew and I met actually on high school. I knew who he was, he played basketball, ran track and cross country and did pretty well in all three! I knew of him, but had never spoken to him as we was a year older than me. & oddly I wasn't too interested in dating. I went on a few dates here and there, but just felt awkward and nothing seemed to click. We ended up having high school biology together and never spoke a word to each other! :) 

He went off to college and I was a senior, we both were in separate relationships. Both of us with younger partners! Mine was off/on and his seemed pretty steady. That's literally all I knew about him. I went off to college, broke off my 1st serious relationship during that first year and played the field, I guess you would say. However my first relationship never truly went away. He apparently had broken off his serious relationship that year too. 

Enter Facebook. Where everyone knows your birthday, even if you never say a word. I worked my 19th birthday at Rite Aid Pharmacy and got off at 9pm. I went home to log onto my dial up Internet and checked my Facebook. (There were no 500+ friends at the time. There was college only so I maybe had 50 people say something) & one private message that changed my life! It said "happy birthday cutie!" From a Mr. Andrew Moore :) 

I didn't know what to say back and just replied- "thank ya! Hope you are having a great summer!" I'm not sure when we started chatting through AIM but we did. He visited me at work one day before he left for 3 weeks for his trip to Australia! He left and I immediately felt lonely. I called his cell phone once and left a message knowing he wouldn't get it until he returned. I never got a call back (I now know he never got that voicemail, but at the time I was pretty mad). 

He returned and started moving in with his cousin to an apartment in Fairmont ( out college town). We spoke a few times and he actually asked me out a few times but I always managed to find a reason to say no. I wasn't sure what my issue was, but I was stubborn. 

Eventually I couldn't avoid it any longer, he asked me out for a Thursday. I couldn't I had to work. So I thought- ill suggest Friday, surely a 20 year old college boy has plans for Friday. At least work! He said Friday would work- that he had every Friday off, as did I. I'm not sure if I was more nervous or just unprepared for that answer. I immediately went to my grandmas and said what was I supposed to do?! She said give him one chance. Why can't he have one when you have your last boyfriend like 5? Touché! 

We went out to the movies to see employee of the month and to the local Cracker Barrel, then I asked to see where he lived. I'm not sure why- and he seemed shocked that I asked, but he was nice enough to take me. We walk in and his cousin/roommate- is laying on the couch shirtless. A pretty hilarious moment. After that, he drove me home! Yes there was the first kiss and yes it was pretty great! That was October 6, 2006. 

6 days later- in his kitchen- he "asked me out" after saying for two days he had something to ask me. I may have fell in love that first date, because I didn't want to be anywhere else... 

Part 2 to come later! Ill leave you with our 2006 throwback profile pictures! 

30 WEEKS!!! EEEEEKKKK!

How far along? Officially 30 weeks!

How big is baby? 2 Cabbages or cucumbers ?

Total weight gain/loss: 20 lbs, not counting fertility meds :\

Maternity clothes? I have been wearing a mix of both, but my regular shirts aren't long enough anymore.. I wear what I can at work and t-shirts (larges) at home!

Sleep: Still good! Just waking up 4 times or so a night to pee! Getting out of bed is the hardest!

Best moment this week: Reaching this insane milestone! Also - hilarious moment: wearing compression hose.. took 10 minutes to put on. Get to work - realize they are on backwards. But I had gone too far. Took 5+ minutes to take off when I got home..

Girls:

Ella Faith (after my sister, Sabreena Faith)
Bria Cole (after my dad- Ron Coleman)

Movement: Constantly! Another great moment this week was yesterday. Andrew called me after basketball practice, and I laid the phone on my belly and had him on speakerphone. The girls WENT CRAZY. Kicked the whole time he was on the phone! I told him what they were doing and he said, I just can't wait for them to get here. I know he always feels that way, but it feels a million times better when I hear it! <3

Food cravings: Well, now that I know I can't have pasta and a lot of breads and sugars, I want them. Go figure.

Food Aversions: Not really anymore!

Gender: 2 GIRLS

Pregnancy Symptoms: Back Pain, Soreness, Unable to bend over, SWELLING (not terrible, but consistent everyday)

Belly Button in or out? Top is an outie, bottom is an innie!

What I miss: Carbs :) Only because I know I can't have them! They are worth it though!

What I am looking forward to: Just getting through each day! Tomorrow I have a massage, so I'm excited about that! :)

Upcoming appointments/events: July 1st with high risk, No ultrasound though :(  Darn!


Milestones: 30 weeks!! The countdown is on!

Bump Picture: I shall post one soon!

So I found some of our baby pictures! I'm pretty sure Bria is going to be a mini daddy!! 

Same nose and all! Love it! 

Ella isn't too convincing but we both have petite lips! :) 

I guess we soon shall see!! :) 

Positive note: 

My twin girl carrier counterpart, Susan, had her beautiful itty bitty babies this morning! They are gorgeous and don't truly look small! Her having them makes this all so real! I feel so blessed to be able to go through this with her by my side! 

Hannah & Hailey! It doesn't get much better now does it?! 

I Have Gestational Diabetes.... I think?!

Today was my appointment with the Diabetes Education Center. It's been 2 weeks since I have started testing my sugar and a week ago I found out I needed to keep a food diary log. Great. Let them tell me I eat terrible.... 

She went through every.single.meal. Ugh. 

& I love bread. A lot of my meals- especially breakfast is bread related. She went through and circled about 8-10 readings out of 50 that were high. Those were unacceptable. A regular type 2 diabetic- those numbers would be okay. But not for a pregnant gal! 

I need to be 98% on target to be without medication. Medication could include insulin. I was shocked. Straight to insulin? She said they may try a medication called Glyburide, which I am familiar with working in a dr office and a pharmacy the past 8 years of my life. Apparently, they have no research on Glyburide since ethically they cannot test medication out on pregnant women. Insulin is natural however. Makes sense. 

I was all for the insulin route (if meds are needed) until she brought up the glucagon emergency kit. 

Glucagon is an emergency injection if my sugar would happen to get too low and I may pass our or seize. Okay. Got it. She then instructed my husband, who hates blood and literally screamed when I tested his blood sugar, on what his job would be. 

1) Test my blood sugar. Which entails putting a test strip in the meter, put a lancet in the lancet device, twist off the top, put the cap back on, poke my finger, wipe off the first drop of blood, squeeze my finger to get a good sample, brush test strip over said blood, wait for reading. If its low, administer glucagon. 

2) Glucagon- take everything out of the box, mix the saline and powder solutions together, fill syringe, inject into arm, leg or butt. 

3) Call 911, if sugar wasnt low, call 911. 

This could take him 20+ minutes people! 

Ain't nobody got time for that! Especially this pregnant mama! 

After that scary thought, we headed to two grocery stores where I proceeded to pretty much cry. I'm picky already. My meals- I'm okay with. I can get upwards of 60 carbs with lunch and dinner. My snacks are 15grams of carbs- everything had carbs! I can't even eat a can of peaches people! Or a pudding cup! How do diabetics survive?! No fruit gummies- my fav, no cereal as a snack.. Unless I eat 1/2 cup, but who does that? Yet- I can have 1/2 cup of chocolate ice cream for 16grams of carbs? How does this make sense?! I'm still amazed at the carbs in everything. Good bye Olive Garden, good bye Pizza Hut. I will see you in 6-7 weeks! 

29 Weeks!

I'm going to make a better effort to documenting these last few weeks as a family of two! 

I am officially 29 weeks! Crazy! 

Everyone thinks I'm small, but I definitely don't feel like it and can't imagine my stomach expanding much more! But we will see. It's super hard for me to get a grasp on how real this is. For the longest time I could never envision myself pregnant. I just couldn't. I'm still amazed at my body and how it all works! 

Andrew is officially on summer vacation! He's already texted me that he put up the blinds in the girls room, our together the 2nd swing, pack n play and activity gym! He's been busy and it's only day 2 of his vacation! :) 

I am at work today for my first 12 in a week and a half. I'm not dying of back pain or anything but I'm just overall tired and would love to put my feet up in bed! I told my boss today my days off for July. And maybe just stop at August 1st and see where that takes me! I have an appt on July 1st and I plan on asking the most questions then about everything. 

I just want to repeat how lucky and blessed I am. I seriously have no clue how I deserved any of this. I am thankful for my husband alone. I could drive my old Mazda and live in a box (well house like box) and be content with how amazing my husband alone is! Let alone our house, 2 great cars, our families- my gosh I could go on forever about how awesome they are! Our jobs are great, and now these beautiful baby girls! I pray that everyone trying to start, add to, or complete their family gets to experience this kind of miracle. It's truly a miracle. 

4 weeks difference! OMG! 

I'm 28 Weeks+6 & Carrying 6lbs 5 ounces of BabIES

Oh my goodness. 

Here I was.. Just hoping they each weighed about 2lbs 8 ounces (the average for my dating) & I was glad to hear Baby A was 2 lbs 14 ounces- only 2 ounces off of 3 pounds... Score! 

Then the ultrasound tech is like ohh Baby B is a big baby! I said yea Shes been bigger the past couple times- by 2 ounces. She then said- she's really long too! We come from tall families (well my bio dad was tall and his sister is tall for a girl- that's all I really know about me). She takes all her measurements and says Baby B is 3 lbs 7 ounces! I about died! 

6 lbs and 5 ounces of baby at basically 29 weeks! No wonder my stomach looks like a road map and feels like I'm 40 weeks (even though my MFM says I'm measuring 33 weeks)- it feels huge! 

I immediately got nervous- even though I know they don't share anything. I kept thinking about TTS. We had to sit back out in the waiting room- no word on As feet except she couldn't see them blah blah. We had a different ultrasound tech and I didn't really feel comfortable asking her her opinion, so I just pray I get my regular one next time! 

My MFM is super sweet and thorough. She said she wouldn't be concerned just yet about the girls growth differences. Normally if one baby is bigger, the other is much smaller than anticipated. Baby A is above average as well! So no concerns there. She went over my blood sugar and said only a few were high. So I am not officially diagnosed with GD but I do have a consult with the diabetes education center on Monday.. To go over diet. She gave me some tips in the meantime and I am to call her next week with my readings. 

I was initially supposed to have a regular OB appt on Wednesday and thankfully they all thought it was ridiculous twice in one week so I don't have to go! My blood pressure was good at 122/80! Highest the bottom # has been but they of course take your blood pressure as soon as you make the trek back to the room! ;) 

Overall it was a great day! We ate lunch at Applebee's as this will prob be the last time I can eat there after having to keep track of my carbs after next week!  Ill stick to salads and sandwiches I guess! 

Here's the 3D pictures I got of the girls today. A is too far head down to get a great one- 

So I compared it with our awesome 3D pic of A from last time: 

Talk about cuties! :) A looks dainty and B is definitely a chunker!

I am still amazed at what my body is capable of! Blessed!!!! ❤

28 Week Update!

I'm officially 28 Weeks +3 Days! Can I say how surprised I am?! I mean seriously, I have less than 10 weeks, honestly, less than that! 7,8,9?!? It's all a guessing game!

I heard back from my doctor- she said the only option is to monitor my blood sugar for 3 weeks four times a day: fasting and 2 hours after each meal! & that is what I decided to do. I know my body & this is waaaay easier!

Here are all my supplies! The first stick was intimidating & definitely stung a little bit. Probably took me 2-3 minutes to stick myself ☺! I'm okay with it now! In have no stinking clue what they are supposed to be, but I think I'm doing okay? The highest it was was 134 after a huge bday dinner at my mommas house! It's not very consistent because twice yesterday it was 82, but she said just record it for 3 weeks and bring it in? 

Thankfully I have a dr appt Monday with MFM/high risk and growth scan and Wednesday I see my regular OB. I'm sure someone will fill me in! And here's an inconsistent attempts at surveys! 

 

How far along? 28 Weeks +3 Days!

How big is baby? 2 Cabbages! (Crazy)

Total weight gain/loss: Last I checked up +18 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Pretty much pants only..

Sleep: So, everyone says towards the end you are up more than you are sleeping. I guess I am so used to peeing a lot anyways (before pregnancy), that it seriously doesn't phase me. I still adore and love my sleep. I count down the days until I can sleep in!

Best moment this week: Last week  would be getting the room done! (pretty much) it's at least organized! woot woot!

Girls:

Ella Faith (after my sister, Sabreena Faith)
Bria Cole (after my dad- Ron Coleman)

Movement: allllllll the time, literally. I don't notice it so much during the night, but seriously, during the day its constant. An arm here, a leg there, a butt? I think there! Its INCREDIBLE

Food cravings: No cravings, just love juicy fruits and veggies!

Food Aversions: Not really anymore!

Gender: 2 GIRLS

Pregnancy Symptoms: at this point, its just symptoms from carrying a huge belly. I have minimal swelling, but backache all day, erry day! Haha!

Belly Button in or out? Not sure yet. Its halfway in and halfway out!

What I miss: last week I would tell you I miss being able to take whatever medication. My ear was killing me and there was nothing I could put in it! After several dr appts and my ear and sinuses getting worse, I was finally given a Zpack. HALLELUJAH! This week, I have craved an alcoholic beverage, which I DO NOT drink normally so I'm surprising myself. It just looks so fruity juicy!

What I am looking forward to: I have 2 appoinments this week! Can't wait to see how big the girls are getting! I'm hoping for AT LEAST 2 lbs and 8 ounces each! which would be like 4lbs of baby!! YAY!  && my husband is off work for the summer as of 3pm TODAY! Yay! I can't wait to be able to spend time with him before they get here


Upcoming appointments/events: 17th & 19th!


Milestones: 3rd Trimester BABY!

Bump Picture: in the works! Its HUGE!

Seriously.

So I am trying SUPER hard not to be negative, but I can't help but cry. I successfully made it to Cheat Lake for my 3 hour glucose test, my lab tech was super nice, drew my blood for my fasting, gave my the glucola to drink, which I downed and told me I would probably feel the most nauseous the first hour. 

I sat down at 8:00 and was told to check back in at 8:55 for my lab draw. I never made it. I started filling out my thank you cards and instantly felt nauseous. I knew what was going to happen. I'm a pro at this. Anytime I drank something throughout this pregnancy without eating, about 20-30 minutes later, I would puke... Seriously every time. 

I started packing up my bag to head to the bathroom, barely got it on my shoulder and vomited in my mouth, 3 times before I made it to the bathroom where it all went down. 

I know my body can't do this. I know it. The cute lab lady felt bad for me and called my dr office and said to return next week, but I can't. I know what's going to happen. If I have learned anything about this- it's how to vomit. I emailed my dr to see if there was anything else I can do- repeat my 1 hr and NOT eat watermelon beforehand?! At this point, I'd be okay with pretending I have GD and just monitoring my sugars daily. I only have 7-8-9 weeks left anyways! 

I cried on the way home of course; just  mad at my body and myself. I so tried to talk myself out of it- but who was I kidding?! 

So I called to talk to my mom, who is always on the dramatic side and that's what I wanted someone to dramatically sympathize with me! Super mature, right? Instead my level headed, wouldn't hurt a fly, farmer dad answers and says mom is in the shower. I told him what happened and he said just don't go back, skip it, you don't have any other symptoms- you're fine! 

I wish it were that easy! I have since emailed my dr begging not to do this again. So- now we wait. I already have 2 dr appts an hour away on my only days off next week because I couldn't get them on the same day.. I really don't want to drive in again for a morning appointment only to throw up. Praying there is some sort of silver lining here.. 

Back to Work

Officially back to work after 8ish days off! I am super thankful that I am still able to work but this 12 hours- is a killer. By 2 I was ready to crawl back in bed... 😁😁😁😁

Start back up with a recap of my vaca! 

Friday May 31- I woke up and my left ear hurt so bad! I seriously have never felt that kind of pain in my ear. I spent 2 hours on the heating pad and realized of wasn't getting better. So I headed to the dr!  Finally- an ear infection and sinus infection and hallelujah they gave me an antibiotic!! I left there and did basically nothing even though I had a million things to do! My friend Megan met me at home at 130ish and we started the shower stuff! We shopped, and crafted and decorated. Finally at 9pm, we were done! I was more than exhausted! 

Saturday June 1- shower day! Thankful that Andrew was able to be with me all day! I think it's crazy for it to be a woman only thing. He invested just as much in these girls as I did! & I honestly think he enjoyed it! It was amazing! About 60 people were able to attend! Pretty good considering it was an awesome day,, well about 92 degrees! We ate and laughed and cried and then started unwrapping! The amount of gifts and diapers were truly amazing! I am still shocked and amazed at the outpouring of love these girls are in for! We are seriously so blessed! My mother still has the pictures which I need to get off of her, but both of us have been sick! Friends even came over to unload the madness into our home! Andrew was a champ and did so much! It was so overwhelming seeing that stack of gifts that I couldn't go through- because I was exhausted! Not swollen though! Yay! 

I went into the bathroom and realized I was spotting. My best friend warned me to take it easy because it was a possibility that could happen. She was so right! It only happened twice, thank God! And quickly resolved. Because I was so sick and bleeding, l didn't have to watch Kayleigh the next day, my sweet sister called off work to let me rest! 

Sunday June 2- we rested! Well I did. I watched Andrew sort through baby clothes, burp cloths, blankets, toys! To name it! Then we realized we needed waaaaay more things to get us organized! We set out to Home Depot and Walmart to get shelves and some organizational tools! Came home, Andrew played basketball and I organized the bathroom closet! Crazy to see your stuff get replaced by baby stuff! Love it! 

Monday June 3-  Maternity picture Day! I desperately  needed some cute outfits for the occasion so I headed to Walmart first. Found a dress and shirt that were OK. Then I convinced myself to go to Gabes and hit the jackpot there. I was surprised to see that I could still wear regular pants, American Eagle at that, but decided to pass on them because they didn't match perfectly! We went and visited my moms cousin, who was at my grandmas visiting from Alaska! We went to see them last year when they were visiting in Cleveland. He came to us this time! Then we had our pictures. I truly love my baby belly but not the rest of me!! Even my face feels bigger lol!! So I'm praying it turns out okay!

Tuesday June 3-Thursday June 6- operation organize the girls room was a success! And resting! Which I am not currently paying for because I am soooooo used to relaxing after doing anything strenuous! Lol 

 

Except on Thursday--- - So I completely forgot to mention that I failed my one hour glucose test! :/  The nurse, who seemed complwtrly out of it, said my number was 153 and it should have been 135... great! I dont know why, but i almost expected it to come back that I failed! So, I had to "carb load" for 2 days prior and then come in at 745am (dr office 1 hr away) to start the 3 hour test!

I was 15 minutes away when I got stopped in traffic. I waited an hour, obviously missing my appointment and by that time I was starving! There was no movement in the traffic line, a wreck, so I turned around and went home.. Round 2 is next Monday! 

"Just Wait"....

I will eventually post about how insanely blessed we were from our family and friends who already adore these girls so much from our shower! 

However, I have a little venting to do. 

I try to be honest. When people

ask how have I been feeling, I don't want to constantly respond with great! Good! Doing well! Because when they start to ask, no sickness or vomiting? I did. A lot. 

So I try to be honest, lately my response is Great! Just a little tired! Which it's the truth, those little boogers are getting heavier to carry! My back has never been 100% with scoliosis and torticolis. I tend to slouch to relieve the pressure on my spine, now the girls don't let me slouch. So it's hard to get comfortable, but I knew and wanted this. BUT- it makes me want to lie when everyone, I mean everyone's response is... JUST WAIT. 

I'm sorry, wait for what? This IS what I have been waiting for! I have waited patiently all my life and impatiently for 2 years to experience this! 

I understand its probably a normal response for some people, but BOY do I want to say- this is what I have been waiting for! 

Not only that, but their reactions when we say its twins! Only a handful of people haven't tried to scare us! It's truly disheartening when you are trying to constantly be excited and positive when everyone else around you is adding something negative! It's not everyone we have encountered but if they don't say, just wait! They say poor dad- two girls. It was hard enough with one. I would die with two. Well glad it's me then and not you. 

I already have a tendency to get overly negative because I feel like sometimes that's just the hand we have been dealt. I have really been trying to make an effort to be positive. Yes, I'm nervous but this is what we have been waiting for! This is the next chapter of our lives! You don't need to tell us to just wait. We already did!