counting carbs

Sorry I did not update yesterday...I was exhausted when we FINALLY got home.  I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and met with a nutritionist.  It really is not a big deal...just a little inconvenient.  I am counting carbs and checking my sugar 4 times a day.  So far, my sugar has been great!! Most importantly, the babies are doing well.  They are BIG (which is a side effect of the GD).  Luke weighs 4 lbs. 11 oz. and Della Rose weighs 3 lbs. 15 oz.  I am no longer on bedrest...yay!!  My doctor said to just take it easy and listen to my body.  I just wanted to post a quick update....wishing you a wonderful weekend!! Eek...I will be entering the last year of my 20s on Sunday.....I'm getting old!!

30 weeks

Well, I am on bedrest.  I had been noticing some "different" pains over the past two weeks. As they started happening more often I decided to call my nurse. She told me it sounded like contractions and to start timing them.  I did and they were coming every 15 minutes....so off to the hospital we went (Monday). It caught me off guard because I was expecting it to be like the movies where you are doubled over in pain doing those breathing exercises.  Not the case! When we got to the hospital they hooked me up to the monitor and sure enough they were contractions.  Both babies were doing great...they were moving around like crazy and their heart tones looked great.  So, they gave me a shot to stop the contractions and ordered bedrest until I see my regular doctor tomorrow (Thursday).  So, I am hoping that he will lift some of these restrictions tomorrow. Below are more belly pictures and some pictures from my wonderful shower this past weekend.  I guess the babies saw all the gifts they got and wanted to try to come and join us. I don't think so!!!  


29 weeks




I will update again after my appointment tomorrow. :-)

flowers and more

My flower garden did not turn out like the beautiful picture in my head, however I do have some beautiful zinnias that allow me to enjoy freshly cut flowers in the house.  We only planted the seeds; God did the rest. :) I am a sucker for fresh cut flowers...but the free kind...not the expensive ones from the florist.





Also, we had maternity pictures taken last week...here are just a few....

And then a bad thunderstorm came, so there will be more to come later!

We went to the doc yesterday. Everything looks good. Luke weighs 2.5 lbs and Della Rose is trailing close behind at 2.3 lbs.  Norman and I were both 10 lb babies, so I don't think these two are going to have a thing to worry about in the birthweight department. 

So, this week I felt the need to begin a new personal Bible study for myself.   I researched on the internet and also browsed around in the Christian bookstore hoping that something would catch my eye. Nothing.  Instead a still, small voice tugged on my heart saying, "You already have what you need. You have MY WORD...just read it and be still."   I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed getting Norman off to work in the mornings and reading my Bible in a quiet, still house.  I love not feeling handcuffed to some bookstudy that I may not even finish.  Sometimes I think we...maybe I....get so caught up with  the abundance of "resources" that we forget God's word is so precious. I push it to the side and let it collect dust so that I can read/do the newest, most popular "resource".  Please don't misunderstand. I think Bible study guides and resources are great. And I am sure that I will participate in many more in the years to come.  I was just reminded that sometimes all you need is what you already have.  Sometimes less is more.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word fo the Lord is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. --2 Samuel 22:31

For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing sould and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

--Hebrews 4:12

good book

Book Description from Amazon:
The Help is about a young white woman in the early 1960s in Mississippi who becomes interested in the plight of the black ladies' maids that every family has working for them. She writes their stories about mistreatment, abuse and heartbreaks of working in white families' homes, all just before the Civil Rights revolution. That is the story in a nutshell - but it is so much more than just stories.

James Luke & Della Rose

Today I am 23 weeks...time is flying by.  We went to the doctor Thursday and got good reports all around.  James Luke (previously known as Baby A) weighs 1.8 pounds and Della Rose (previously known as Baby B) weighs 1.4 pounds.  My mom and brother went with me this time, and we got a nice little surprise. When the nurse was doing the ultrasound to get measurements she was able to make a beautiful 4d picture of Della Rose.  Luke was not in the right position...so maybe next time for him.  Della Rose is absolutely beautiful. She was "smiling" and has perfect, precious lips.  I will post her picture as soon as I have a 4d of Luke to share as well.  I can't let her steal the spotlight....lol.  The nursery is slowly coming together, but I have got to get busy!  We have cribs (no mattresses yet) and a glider.  I am still going back and forth on what to do with the walls.  I have found some really cute personalized decals OR I have thought about finding an artist to paint some white birch trees on the wall. I got that idea from JJ Heller's blog.  What do you think?

 I have noticed some swelling in my feet...just a little.  Now that it is summer break, I should be able to rest and keep my feet propped up to prevent swelling as much as possible.  I also plan to make the pool my #1 spot! Here is me at 22 weeks.....

a smoother smoothie

I have been on the search for the "perfect" smoothie recipe for years.  I have always thought there was a "smoothie rule" that ice MUST be an ingredient in each and every smoothie. My smoothies always resulted in at least one big chunk of ice and they weren't quite so "smooth".  Well....ice is now a thing of the past when it comes to my smoothies.  Here is a recipe I found in a magazine....a much smoother smoothie! 

• 1 banana (sliced)
• 1/4 c. fresh strawberries (sliced)
• 1/4 c. fresh blueberries
• 3/4 c. milk
• 1/2 c. cranberry juice
• 1/2 c. yogurt OR pineapple sherbert (I've tried both...didn't notice a big difference in taste)

I dump all this in my blender. Push the "blend" button for about 5-10 seconds, and it's ready to pour.

18, 19, 20.....and counting

18 weeks

19 weeks

20 weeks

Please excuse the rather unflattering background. A sweet friend at work has taken pics of me every week.  We just snap them when we can....ignoring the evacuation plans, ugly walls, and other "schoolish" stuff in the background!