Insanity

One of my docs told me this week that by week 24 I will be the size of an 8-month singleton pregnancy.  Whoa.  That totally blows my mind.  So, maternity clothes has an even shorter shelf life.  After that--you know, for almost 3 months!--I'll shop in the whale department... 

Big thanks to Ms. Feisty who generously loaned me some wonderful work clothes and Ms. Dean who has given me twins tips from the get-go and has sent a package of more clothes.  For someone who doesn't like shopping, this is such an amazing gift and a great start to the new, expensive, and temporary wardrobe.  My online order should arrive next week--now that I know about my rapid size increase, kinda regretting not express delivering that order...

The other thing about the incredible size increase is that I will have to drastically decrease my activity starting at week 24.  Like nada.  (At least it'll feel like it to me.)  Doc said, starting then, work from home as much as possible, take a break mid-morning and mid-afternoon for about 1.5 hours.  I'm already resting (on my left side) for an hour each day in additional the crazy hours I spend sleeping, limited walking (start using the stork parking spaces), rest, rest, rest, all in the hopes that these babes cook longer. 

p.s.  No new pic, but they're now 5.4 cm crown to rump (forehead to bottom).  Which, for the Americans, is 2 1/8 inches. 

The Glass Ceiling

I'm backtracking a little because this is something that occurred, oh, like the day we found out we were pregnant with twins...  Everyone always says there is never a good time to have kids.  (Have you noticed that everyone gives us lots of advice?  See previous post.)  I'm at the stage in my career where I've developed the legal skills to be a good lawyer, now I just need to rack up more experience points and get a few more clients of my own.  That's when I'll be able to fly solo and not have to rely on my partners, and therefore no longer be at their mercy.  Sort of like the transformation from a child to an independent adult.  In some ways, it's just the next step and not everyone has to take it, but it also is what will give me job security and more of the ability to be the queen of my destiny.  OK, you get the picture.

So, right during the glow of FINALLY getting pregnant after so much stress, tears, drugs, hormonal outbursts, etc., I got--the call.  An organization that I have been "wooing" for awhile was looking for proposals from lawyers to represent them on 3 major transactions.  They decided to invite me, little ol' me, and a giant firm who also does lots and lots of this particular work.  The catch: the first transactions is scheduled to close at the end of this year, yup, right at the end of my 3-4 months of maternity leave.  For reals?!?!  I peppered them with questions, assured them of my abilities, then told them I would get back with them about the proposal, hung up the phone, and my heart sank.  This is the call that a young lawyer dreams about (or maybe it's just me).  Affirmation that I'm competing with the big boys and girls.  An opportunity to land a client that would bring in 3 major transactions over the course of 2 years.  My career is taking off!  And then, BONK, I crash into the glass ceiling.  Since I'm the one at my firm with the expertise, I decided that it was only right that even though there are brilliant and capable attorneys here, I needed to explain to them that I would be otherwise occupied for the months leading up to the first closing when the bulk of the work would occur.  Unfortunately, that's just not what the client wants, methinks.  In any case, they told me congratulations, they would think about it and discuss internally and get back with me.  Yeah...don't call us, we'll call you...I know what that means.

It just felt so unfair that I have to leave the workforce to bear children and here's a clear example of how it directly affects my career.  Don't get me wrong, I would NEVER trade being pregnant with landing the client.  My male partner, very insightfully pointed out that the disappointment was compounded by the fact that we have been trying so hard and this opportunity came so early in the pregnancy.  It ruined my day, I just couldn't shake being totally bummed about the missed opportunity (not to mention a really awesome and fun client).  But, it didn't ruin the next day.  And even now, I remember how disappointed I was, but it is just a memory of disappointment.  I believe that there will be many more opportunities to land wonderful clients in the future.  If I can do it now, I can do it again!  Right?... 

In other news, we got the Baby Bargains book and are trying to prepare ourselves for the daunting task of shopping.  For those that don't know us, shopping is not high on either of our lists...  We have been told that I need to do everything I want to be a part of before 24 weeks, so I guess we'll have to get started on educating ourselves on cribs, bassinets, strollers, car seats, bottles, pumps, swaddlers, pack n plays, swings, bouncers (I don't even know what half those things are)...  Typically conversation in our house about these things:
D: This book recommends a convertible car seat. 
C: Well, I do have a convertible, but...  What's a convertible car seat? 
D: Dunno. 
C: Is there a picture? 

Yeah, Babies R Us salesperson is going to LOVE us...

They said it would happen...

Everyone said to be prepared for people touching your belly.  People you know, people you don't will feel a magnetism to your growing bump.  They will be drawn to rubbing your body, as if it will make their wishes come true.  I didn't think it would really bother me.  I'm pretty open about most everything, dispense hugs regularly, fairly affectionate (albeit sometimes in a tough love kind of way), after all the doctors and tests and all it seems like my body's not sacred anymore.  Yet, I still wasn't prepared... 

Here's how it went down.  Courtesy of some very generous people (my parents), David and I had the pleasure of attending a schmantcy event at River Oaks CC to support the Jung Center and the Center for Houston's Future, but most exciting, to hear Doris Kearns Goodwin speak.  [Side note: she was amazing and I now want to read everything she has ever written--not just because she's a HUGE baseball fan.]  I digress...  Even though we haven't completed the first trimester, our pregnancy is now public knowledge and we're the obnoxious people telling pretty much anyone who will listen.  Which includes one of my favorite college professors and a wonderful man.  Who, when he heard the news was perfectly jubilant and excited for us and he immediately reached out and touched my belly.  With both hands.  Now, I don't know if it's because he's a man, or because he's one of my former professors, or because of the environment, or because he's the first and I'm not used to it, yet, or just because it took me by surprise, but I wasn't prepared for that.  Fortunately, I didn't have any sort of violent knee-jerk reaction.  To be honest, I'm not really sure what I did.  It was probably just a brief touch, but of course the moment is now etched into my memory and when it's played back it feels like it was eternal.  Mostly because I had an emotional response I didn't expect.  Everyone said it would happen.  Somehow the warnings still weren't enough to prepare me for it.

p.s. If you end up reading this, I adore your enthusiasm and support for my family and know that your excitement was just an outpouring of that, for which I am grateful.  No hard feelings.  Hopefully, I'll now be more prepared for when a stranger reaches out, which will be more shocking since they won't bring that history of relationship to the table.

Week 10 ultrasound

 

For those of you who think ultrasounds are like Rorshach tests, these are the twins, bunk bed style.  The top one has his head to the right and the bottom, head to the left. 

Awestruck

There are many things about all this that leave me in awe, dumbstruck, amazed.  Some things are just incredible, others hard to wrap my head around.  Like, there are two living things in my belly.  Living in my belly!  And they'll one day be babies, children, adults?!?!  And they're only about 1.5 inches long, but on Friday we got to see them kick their legs and wave their arms.  And my body changes daily.  I'm not upset about it, but I can't help stopping and looking in the mirror just a little longer.  It's becoming the body it needs to be to support these little guys, all by itself.  And it's become amazingly efficient.  I don't eat much more than I did in the past--yet, that time is coming soon--but my body now takes more nutrients out of the foods that I eat.  And I'm tired.  I can sleep anytime, anyplace.  In case anyone's reading that doesn't know me, that's a big change.  And the number of hours I have clocked in dreamland is truly amazing.  And the more I learn about everything that's going on and how this all works, the more I'm like a wide-eyed child.  You'd think I've never taken a biology class...

Many people have asked how I'm feeling.  See above for tired.  That's the main thing.  I get a little queasy from time to time, but no real morning sickness.  I'm crampy often, but have been told it's probably just feeling my uterus growing.  (Super glad my doc told me right at the beginning that some women say being pregnant feels like cramps, because I definitely would constantly fear a miscarriage.)  Yesterday I had a headache most of the day (headaches are no stranger), but it has been my first one while pregnant.  So, I've really been very fortunate that with all the hormones raging, I have very little to complain about.

I feel grateful.  I feel tired.  I feel in awe of the miracles.  I feel hungry.  I feel loved by the circle of joy that keeps expanding as more friends learn of our news.  I feel tired...  Good night.

Speaking of a test drive...

While I am very grateful for Andrew and Janella preceding us into twinhood, my most important test drives during the last few weeks were related to the purchase of the first babies-ready vehicle of our 10-year relationship. Many of you may know Penelope, our Saturn Sedan that I have had since before I met Claudia. She still looks pretty good, but her computers and wires are beginning to be more suspect. With the imminent arrival of Baby A and Baby B, we thought now would be a good time to buy a different kind of car.

Many of our (well-meaning) friends and family suggested that we get an SUV, a crossover vehicle, or even...I shudder to think of it...a minivan. While I know that one day, we may have no other choice than to drive a bigger and less fuel efficient car, I wasn't quite ready to give up on the dream of all urban, hipster left-leaning 30-somethings: that is, to be able to speak smugly of both the practicality and altruistic nature of one's car selection to other, less enlightened friends and family.

Hence, I test drove the following vehicles, and had the following thoughts and ultimate results:

1) Ford Fusion: Who couldn't love this sleek, muscly car with snappy interior design, along with that American sense of space and comfort. It even comes in a hybrid model and has some of the technologically advanced gadgets you can find. It is a smooth operator that we enjoyed driving both in the traditional gas version and in the hybrid. MPG (hybrid): 38/41 (highway). Great marks, but when we saw the hybrid in person, the one big drawback is its trunk capacity. As with others of the sedans with Hybrid engines, the rather large battery used to facilitate its hybrid identity sits quite squarely in the midst of the trunk. This junk in the trunk for my money was going to be too much of a nuisance for a family of four with strollers, playpens, suitcases, etc...to schlep around. Therefore, ixnay on the usionFay.

2) Toyota Prius: This is the aforementioned hipster urbanite's most sought-after dream, the holy grail of fuel economy and altruistic sacrifice of style and (to a certain extent) comfort. We were taken with the experience of driving the Prius, and marveled at its hatchback "trunk" space. It sports more room in the back than many sedans and definitely more than that of the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry hybrid trunks. It has a somewhat stylish interior (in an austere, Japanese sort of way), and it makes one feel that one is driving inside the cockpit of a small jet airplane, only without all the noise. It is near silent at lower speeds, and rises to just a slight rumble at freeway speeds. Great car, probably enough space, but in the end, my 6' 1.5" frame could not be convinced that I wanted to drive for the next 10 years in the little thing, regardless of its economy. MPG: 49/51 highway!

3) Toyota Camry Hybrid - Beautiful car. Lots of them on the road. Great reviews. Small trunk (See Ford Fusion). MPG: 31/35 (highway). Not as good as the Fusion, but quite high for a sedan. Due to trunk capacity limitations, also a no-go.

4) Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (2011) - After driving a rental Sonata to Angel Fire this past January, I was ready to take a test drive of the new Hybrid which has gotten better ratings in most areas than the other sedans mentioned above. Just one problem...they don't have any in Houston yet, and they don't know when they will be shipped. Sorry Hyundai, we need a car sooner than that. Maybe in 10 years, I'll take another look.

5) Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI - I almost didn't look at this one after I determined that the new Jetta Sedan was not going to be big enough for us (didn't test drive one, just looked at them online and at the dealership). But, when a friend of Claudia's and mine (thanks Jacy!) mentioned that he thought we should really take a look at it, I decided that it was probably a good idea. In the end, the Sportwagen (don't forget the SPORT part) had everything we were looking for: a stylish, German look, a spacious, though not cavernous, wagon hatchback trunk area, and it still will get us 30+ MPG in the city and 40+ MPG on the highway. We bought it on Tuesday and have not had even a scintilla of regret. It drives smoothly and quietly, has an amazing sunroof, and (my personal favorite) has Bluetooth capability that can run my phone calls through the speakers in the car. Claudia reminds me that most new cars have this option nowadays, but of course I don't have most new cars, but only our Jetta Sportwagen TDI.

Yes, the TDI means that we use Diesel fuel. I have not refueled yet, so I have yet to experience the pain of the higher prices (about 10% more than gas). However, I am confident that with the Teutonically luxurious space we will enjoy and the fantastic fuel economy (30% better than traditional gas options), I won't even notice the extra cents per gallon.

Not ours, but you get the idea:

Now, we'll see what Claudia does when she no longer fits behind the wheel of her 2005 Mustang Convertible...

hero of the week, probably month!

Big, HUGE, shout out to Tobin for spending his entire evening helping these technically challenged Get $#!^ Done.  OK, let's be real, he didn't exactly "help" us, if anyone helped anyone, we helped him...I spent most of the evening resting on the sofa, pretending to be pregnant, and the hubby ended up spending lots of time fetching tools and doing dishes.  A special thanks to Mrs. Tobin for lending us her main man for the night--love the tee, btw.

Get $#!^ Done night included hooking up the surround sound system and all the speakers we have from the prior home owner and our own little pre and post fire collection.  We still have one subwoofer, one unidentifiable (probably another old subwoofer), and one small speaker left.  Party in the nursery?

Part 2 was my favorite moment of the night.  AT&T brilliantly connected our DSL in the outside wall of the addition to our house.  This meant that a signal trying to make its way down to the kitchen had to bounce around that room, through a small doorway going through the original exterior wall of our house, through the master, down the stairs, around the corner, you get the idea.  Tobes prepared us for the evening by sending us various links to possible repeaters and other solutions.  Fortunately (in this case anyway), we're pretty terrible at Getting $#!^ Done and barely had a chance to look at the links.  Although we were told by AT&T that that was the only DSL connection in the house and we would have to pay gobs of money more for them to wire another outlet, Tobes was prepared with ideas on how to salvage that problem.  The first being, plug the router in to other outlets and see if any of them work.  We tested the ideal location first and sho nuff, first jack worked!  After a year of crappy signal, all it took was moving the stinking box.  Yeah, we're technical idiots...

The computer situation was last and unfortunately, it was the least productive.  Our house apparently is where computers come to die.  When my office got new computers, I brought mine home, but of course as soon as we plugged it in here, the power source died.  We now have two dead boxes with perfectly good hard drives and no home computer and a laptop with two dead batteries.  Computers GSD night will have to be another time...

Test Drive!

Not everyone gets to test drive twins before theirs are born, so we consider ourselves very lucky. Meet Andrew Sr., Andrew Jr., and Juliana (my bro, my nephew and my niece).  They were born on Friday, so their 1 week birthday is tomorrow.  :)  They are super adorable, only partly because all they do is eat, sleep, and poop. 

Their mom, J, has been a great help from the first day we found out we were expecting dos.  We had already planned to visit her after our doc visit since she was on bedrest, so she got to be the first one to find out her twins would have twin cousins.  (Yeah, that's 4 new grandbabies for my parents in 6 months, be jealous all you grandparents out there, very jealous.)  From the first day J has given us lots of advice, books, and now her experiences for us to learn from.  How lucky are we?!

In other news, we are also in the process of test driving cars.  Penelope is on her last leg, so David has been checking out various options.  So far, we've driven Ford hybrid Focus/Escape, Toyota hybrid Prius/Camry, Hyundai Sonata (hybrids not sold here, yet--booo).  There are still a couple others on the list, hopefully we'll get that done this weekend.  We're not sold on getting an SUV (and no way on the swaggerwagon) and have been told that we don't really need one until we have 3 kids, but I think David is interested in looking at a VW station wagon--not your daddy's kind.  Opinions are always welcome.

Then comes the question of whether I get to keep Cybil...

(well, that's not really her, I'm too lazy to get a pic of her, but you get the idea).  Can you fit 2 rear-facing car seats back there?  At least for loading the kiddos, you could just put the top down and drop them in...maybe even BETTER than an SUV...

first pic

Our scanner is not great, so you can't see much, but then again, I never could figure out sonograms before, anyway...