The Lindsay Clan

Oh Happy Milestone!

It's official!  I made it past the big 34 week mark (and the perinatologist  insists I'm at 35)!  This is a huge date as anything before this meant a probable transfer to Primary Children's hospital.  At this point the Dr. feels there may be a few days in NICU (and maybe no time in NICU) but that we have passed the truly worrisome time.

I'm doing OK.  I've been able to venture out on a few errands, went to dinner with friends one night, and have gone to church a couple of times.  It just depends on the day.  Unfortunately I got a cold and my body struggles a little when I get sick.  Last night I had some consistent, eye-watering, "shoot that hurts" contractions, so I've been drugged up since then.  I'm sure a day or 2 of drugs and rest and I'll be back to my super-exciting, never-stop, life style that I've settled into.  Can I just tell you how awesome it will be in a couple of weeks to not worry about those contractions and in fact encourage them to continue? 

What an adventure this has been.  I've been pregnant for 34 weeks and on restrictions for 14 of those weeks.  After 14 weeks, the next 2 weeks will certainly fly by, right?

First Love

My boys have a serious crush.  All three of them are completely devoted to our neighbor, Ashley.  (Gabe wrote a paper at school about how he is going to marry her...).  They run to the window several times a day to see if they can catch a glimpse of her, they sit with her at church every Sunday, and each night before bedtime, they open the window and say, "Good night Ashee!" 

From the twins I hear daily:

• Where's Ashee?
• Ashee at work.
• I want my Ashee!

At least weekly I hear:

• I telling Ashee on you!
• Going to Ashee's house today?
• I need my Ashee right now.  (usually through tears)

Their love and adoration is awfully sweet. She thinks they are funny all the time; they believe she is the most beautiful creature on earth; she never says no to their crazy requests; they know that she can do no wrong; and to top it off, she always has a bag of M&M's for them.  In short, according to my toddlers, their's is the perfect relationship!

Good to Know

(Gabe quietly and thoughtfully gazing out the car window.  He sighs.)

Mom:  "What's up?"

Gabe: (turns with the wisest expression he can muster)  "Just so you know mom, all big planets are gaseous giants and the small ones are rocky midgets.  Yes, we live on a rocky midget."

Thanks buddy.  That is good to know; that's definitely good to know.

Piano Man

Gabe started piano lessons this past fall and has just loved it.  I was worried that the allure would wear off and that practice time would become a battle but so far so good.  It's been fun watching him learn and grow and be excited about mastering songs and techniques. My only complaint- I've heard "Follow the Prophet" at least 5000 times in the past 30 days.  To Gabe's credit though, he's shaking things up a little by playing it in organ, harpsichord, and trumpet mode (usually back-to-back-to-back).

Do they look alike?

Since the twins were born, I have fielded many a question but none as often as "how do you tell them apart?"  I always rolled my eyes a little at that one because they obviously looked (and acted) so very different.  I'd always smile and say something like..."well they look very different to me."  As they got older, their looks have only diverged more.  However I had to pause the other day when I came across these photos.  I must admit there is a slight resemblance.  Can you tell who is who?

Conversations with a 7 Year Old

#1-

Gabe- I don't want to.

Mom- Well, you have to at least try it.

Gabe- (Skeptically taking a bite, chewing, and swallowing).  Hmmm.

Mom- See, it's good.

Gabe-  Yah.  Once you get past the smell, it's not so bad.

#2-

Gabe- (Chuckling)

Mom- What are you watching?

Gabe- A Bugs Bunny Cartoon.  (pointing at Leghorn Foghorn).  That is one funny man chicken!

#3-

Mom-  Gabe, I sure love you!

Gabe-  I love you too!  Can I have a hug my "Big One"?

(Note-  I laughed (hard), gave him the hug, and then told him to go talk to his Father about calling any woman in his life, "My Big One".)

Oh the Ups and Downs!

What a week!  I felt FABULOUS last week. I was up and about a little bit more, I felt more like a mom than I have in weeks, I even ventured to Carters for 30 minutes to buy a couple of newborn items.  Sunday night I went to bed feeling fine and woke up Monday feeling (and looking) like I'd been hit by a Mack truck.  I kept thinking I just needed a down day but everyday got worse.  Sleeping 14 hours a day has not been a stretch.  But even though I was so beat the contractions were not increasing. Until last night.

Like someone turned on a switch, they started have not stopped since.  Every 10 minutes I have a good one....so discouraging.  There is good news though.  I went to the Dr. and she put me on those horrible meds full time.  They make me shaky and stupid, but they seem to work.  Also, the contractions, though annoying, are not productive.  I can handle the discomfort as long as I'm not dilating and as of now I'm not.  As for the fatigue-- who knows?  She took blood to run some tests but I'm betting dollars to donuts that the prognosis will be "you're over 30 weeks pregnant and have been sitting on your behind for 2 months."  Yah- that would make anyone tired.

On the baby front-  I'm growing a linebacker.  They measured Sonic again and he is 4 1/2 lbs!  He's gaining  a half pound a week.  At this rate he will weigh 10lbs are 39 weeks.  Ouch!  Oh ya- and he's flipped in the last 2 weeks.  I am no longer carrying a breach baby!  That makes me happy as I did not want a c-section.

So as you can see, there is good with the bad, some ups and downs.  4-5 more weeks though and it won't matter one bit.  You'll know I've past that milestone as I will be running up and down my street (well, maybe waddling), yelling with joy.  Please feel free to join in with me!