Unconditional Love



Roger's 1st night home...5 weeks old



So I bet you think this one is going to be about the babies…not this time.  This one is about our first boy, Roger.  Yes, our big, clumsy, furry dog, Roger.

On July 3^rd 2009, Scott and I, along with friends set out to go tubing down the Taccoa River in North Georgia.  We had an awesome day and on the way home decided to make a stop at Carey Kirk’s father’s house to hang out at the pool.  While there, we realized that Joe’s two Standard Poodles, Romeo and Juliet, had recently had a litter of puppies.  When we arrived we noticed 5 little 5 week old puppies running all around and the passing out wherever they were due to exhaustion.  Scott paid little attention, but there was one little guy, the only male puppy, that kept coming over to me and passing out in my lap.  He was so adorable and fluffy….I knew it was going to be hard to leave him behind.

As we were getting ready to leave, Joe insisted that we take this puppy if we wanted it.  He said it could use a good home and if after 24 hours, we changed our minds, we could bring him back.  At this point Scott had had a few cocktails and was all for taking the dog home.  I was already in love, so I was an easy sell.

That night we allowed our new baby, Roger, to sleep in our bed.  Scott woke up the next morning, a little confused,  to Roger chewing on his ear.  We had NOTHING for a dog at the house…and weren’t really sure we could manage a dog, but…the thought of sending this adorable little guy home was too much.  We figured we would make it work.  We made an appointment with the vet for some shots, we headed off to Pet Smart for the necessities and our little family began.

At this point, Scott and I had been trying to conceive for 2 ½ years.  We now had a new distraction from the disappointment every month.  Roger was always there to make us laugh.  He is silly, clumsy, smart, and loud.  It is hard to get mad at him….he is just too cute.  Others may not find him as loveable as we do, but he is my first baby boy. 

Do we spoil Roger…you bet we do!  Does he get home cooked meals..yes…his favorite is meatloaf with sweet potato, celery, and cranberry sauce.  Yes…I do make it from scratch!  His favorite treat….Snickerpoodles; Scott’s favorite cookie is a Snickerdoodle…guess who gets his favorite treat more often?????  

I know a lot of people think we’re crazy because he can be such a brat sometimes, but what people don’t understand is that Roger is probably the number one reason I did not completely lose my mind during all of the infertility treatments.  Prior to the IVF we tried several rounds of IUI, months of fertility drugs (which can make you totally insane), and surgery to find out the root of the problem.  Through all of the ups and downs, and there were very few ups I might add, Roger kept me laughing and smiling.  I think without him I would have had to seek help.  It was definitely the darkest 2 years of my life.

So, when people ask what we’re going to do with Roger if he doesn’t get along with the boys, we say we will figure it out….will we get rid of him….not a chance.  If we have to spend a ton of money to fence in the yard, so be it….but this crazy 60lb poodle is truly a life saver…..Am I being overdramatic….some may think so, but if you saw me during this low point, you would understand the healing power of  Roger!  He is my little angel...

Roger around 4 months old...roughly 40 lbs..he loves to be held like a baby.



Roger today.....large, lazy, and human-like. He had a tough day and needed to nap.



Roger's 1st Christmas.

 

Baby Shower

Diaper cake made by Kenny and Jay!

Over the weekend Scott’s cousins and aunts (Ashley, Kristi, Patti, and Pam) threw us a wonderful baby shower.  We had it at the clubhouse in my neighborhood which was so convenient for me as far as getting everything home and being able to have some people back to the house to see the recently finished nursery.

It was so good to see everyone at the shower.  The ladies did a wonderful job and the food was delicious.  Our guests, mostly family and friends (who are more like family than friends) of the Henson side were in attendance.  I still can’t get over the generosity.   We received some of the absolute essentials – car seats, strollers, high chairs.  We also received some wonderful handmade gifts from some amazing ladies.  The thought that these women would take time out of their busy lives to create something for us and our children is so unbelievable.  I loved every single gift we received and feel so fortunate that so many people care about us.

After the shower, some of Scott’s family came over to see the nursery and to meet Roger too.  Everyone loved the nursery, which was great since we finished hanging the final frame on the wall that morning.    When everyone left, I re-opened every gift and showed Scott.  I really thought he would not be all that interested, but he continues to surprise me.  It was funny watching his expressions and he LOVES clothes that babies wear that look like little old man clothes.  He thinks it is so adorable and funny.  Needless to say, he loved all of the clothes we received. 

I can’t thank Patti, Pam, Ashley, and Kristi enough….they did a great job and made my Baby Shower a memorable day!!!  Everything was just perfect!





Me,Ashley and Krisit...two of the fabulous hostesses



Memaw,Pam, Me, Patti, Stephanie, Ashley, and Kristi...Scott's family!



Me and my Mom!!



Memaw, Me, and Grandma









Showers......

Continuing with my busy week, I had another appointment with the specialist and we again were able to see ultrasounds of the boys.  They are getting BIG!!!  So far everything looks good with the pregnancy, per the doctor, and he said the boys are "bigger than average".  Scott and I were relieved to hear that...we are afraid they may come a bit early, so we are hoping to fatten them up a bit before then. 
When the doctor was performing the ultrasound, TJ and Matthew were both balled up in fetal position with their faces down, like they were frogs.  TJ has a case of the hiccups and we could see his little body jump on the monitor. We were also able to hear it when we listened to the heartbeat.  The nurse also pointed out that TJ has a bit of hair that she was able to see.  It was so funny looking!
Here are there stats as of Thursday:

TJ - 3lbs 3 oz  heartbeat - 150
Matthew - 3lbs 6 oz - heartbeat 136

Later that afternoon my friends at school threw a baby shower for me.  I really have some generous co-workers.  The guests all gave us wonderful and useful gifts....and lots of diapers!!!!  I continue to be blessed. My roommate (we share a classroom) Laura and two other friends at work, Shannon and Lana, all hosted the shower and did such a nice job.  I am lucky to have co-workers that I can also call friends.  I don't know that everyone can say that!  Each of these ladies took the time to plan and organize a great afternoon.

This Saturday, Scott's cousins and Aunts (Ashley, Kristi, Patti, and Pam) are throwing a baby shower for family and friends of the family.  I am so looking forward to seeing everyone...it has been a long time since I have seen some of these ladies.  I'll post pictures later from the shower!!! I'm so excited!!

Busy Busy Busy

Last weekend Scott and I decided that it was finally time to finish up the nursery.  We woke up early on Sunday, headed to Lowe's and bought a few things we needed to hang things and get it done.  After about 10 hours of non-stop work for the both of us, we can say we are just about done. 
It was fun to watch Scott get excited about putting everything together to make the room look complete.  He is so excited and proud that we are having 2 sons that he can hardly contain it.
Throughout the week I was too tired to do much of anything around the house....Scott however, came through big time.  He either cooked or picked up something every night this week so that I didn't have to do much other than lay on the couch and try to get some rest.  I was sooooo thankful for him this week...he helped to get rid of a lot of my stress by getting things in the house done...and by the way, chores are his least favorite thing to do.  He even emailed me today at lunch to let me know that he steam cleaned the carpets upstairs on his lunch break....could he be nesting????  We'll have to wait and see.

28 Week Update

As of last week, I am officially in my third trimester as of this week...yet I was told by my doctor that my uterus is the size of someone in their 40th week if they are carrying just one baby.  This probably explains why I have to stop and take a breath halfway up the staircase, why I am physically drained by the end of the day, and why my belly is so enormous!

Additionally, everywhere I went last week I  received the same question...When is your due date??  The look on the faces when I tell them that my actual due date in May 6th is priceless....it is generally a look of horror followed by understanding when I tell them I am carrying two!  Last week I must have looked huge because in one trip to the grocery store 3 different women went out of their way to tell me just how large I am.  So far this hasn't really bothered me...I see the size of my belly...it is large!  I'm sure that the comments will get old soon, but for now I am enjoying laughing at the commentary....Here are a few of my favorites so far:

Lady#1 in Publix - Wow!  You must be ready to deliver any day now
Me - No, I'm still about 9 weeks away
Lady#1 in Publix - Oh my goodness - as she stared at my belly button!
Me - I'm having twins
Lady #1in Publix - Oh, thank God!

Lady #2 in Publix - You must be getting very close
Me - Nope, still over 2 months away
Lady # 2 - What????
Me - Twins
Lady #2 - Oh, that makes sense

Cashier at Pubix - Oh, how much longer until the baby arrives?
Me - a little over 2 months
Cashier - Are you having twins?
Me - Yes - while laughing
Cashier - Goooood Luck!

A note from one of my favorite students that I found sticking to my computer:
"I saw your hideous, huge, bulging belly  button all the way across the office and I couldn't eat lunch today.  Thanks a lot!   Love, Tanner
I laughed so hard because I have a class of all boys and they are disgusted  by the belly button as it is popping out of my shirts at this point!

Nothing but good times!

The joys of pregnancy...

Where to start??? First and foremost let me just say that I absolutley LOVE being pregnant.  I have no real complaints about the past 27 weeks.  Over the years I have often heard women complain about all of the side effects associated with pregnancy and how they couldn't wait for it to be over. I am NOT one of those people.  While I have complained a bit to my understanding husband and parents about the poor quality of sleep and the backaches, I haven't had a real solid complaint yet. 

Throughout my struggles with fertility I would get so angry when women would complain about their symptons.....I would have given anything to puke for 10 weeks straight if that meant that a baby would be there at the end of it all.. I prayed that one day I too would be able to gain 60 pounds, only to have to lose it again, if I could just have a child.  When I finally found out that I was pregnant I decided that no matter what, I would make this experience positive.....if I gained 80 lbs...oh well....put on a smile.  If my face broke out in a rash for 9 months...well, that's what makeup is for.  If I puked for 3 months, that was God validating my pregnancy.  I think Scott and I have tried to be very upbeat and positive during this amazing time period.

I truly have appreciated every moment of every day since August 28th.  From the second we found out, I feel like I haven't stopped smiling and I have never felt better about myself.  I think for the first time in my adult life I stopped caring about weight gain and what I looked like and I have focused on trying to be healthy (without going crazy) and to enjoy every second of this journey since it will likely be my only chance.  I have been so blessed that I have not been sick once, I have had no real food aversions (other than salad...which I don't love lettuce anyway), nor have I had any of the crazy craving you hear about.  My weight gain has been great so far...not too much and mostly just belly, although I realize that should be changing any day now!  I think the "glow" that people talk about  has a lot to do with the energy and vibes that you put out.  Honestly, I have never been happier or more confident than I am these days....even with my rapidly expanding waistline (thank goodness for elastic waistbands!).  I hope this doesn't sound too boastful....I just wanted everyone to know how truly lucky, grateful, and happy I am. I am seriously amazed by this whole process everyday.  Scott and I couldn't be happier and we are soooo looking forward to meeting these boys....but not that eager...we need them to stay put until April 20th!!

Thanks to everyone who has prayed for us and these boys....I beleive someone is listening.

3D Photos

TJ Sucking his thumb

Matthew

Head to Head

TJ's leg, but Matthew's feet at the top!

Matthew's hands holding the back of his legs.

Last week, Scott, my parents, and Scott’s parents all went to “Peek-a-Belly” in Woodstock to view 3D/4D ultrasounds of the boys.  For those of you who have not heard of this, it is an ultrasound where you can see clearly the faces and bodies of the babies.  This technology has been around for a few years, but is getting less expensive and thus more popular as time goes on. I think I can speak for all of us there that this was a pretty amazing experience. 

Because Scott and I have seen so many ultrasounds of these little guys, it wasn’t so much an “emotional” experience, but more like getting towards the end of a mystery novel; we were finally able to catch a glimpse of what our boys look like.  On the other hand, this was a pretty emotional experience for my parents.  They have been painfully aware of the difficulties in getting to this point and for them to be able to see these babies wiggling and kicking and interacting with each other was pretty special.  I saw tears of joy come to their eyes as they were able to see their newest grandchildren. 

The technician began with “Baby A” or TJ as we like to call him.  TJ was quite the little mover and shaker once again.  We were quickly able to see his little face and body.  The images were amazing.  We saw his long, muscular leg.  At least it looks long…but also pretty solid.  He was really moving everywhere but we were able to get some really good pictures of him.

The technician moved on to “Baby B”, our little Matthew.  He was calmer than his brother, but still moving quite a bit.  At one point Matthew had his feet crossed at the ankle and had his hands pulling his thighs closer to his body.  His thighs looked pretty thick too.

As of last night, the boy’s heads are next to each other and their legs and arms get tangled up in one another.  In the one picture of TJ’s thigh, Matthew’s feet are right there in the middle of things.  I am starting to understand why “they” say that putting twins in the same bed at night helps them sleep together.  After spending all of this time cuddled together it must be unnerving to be separated from each other. 

On that note, I really have to remember to not complain about being uncomfortable when I try to sleep.  I have basically created a “pillow fort” around me while I sleep, trying to get a few consecutive hours of good sleep.  My back has been aching while I lay in bed, so I try to sleep somewhat upright, which does seem to help.  What doesn’t help is the cat trying to sleep on top of me all night!  But, for all of the discomfort that I feel, I can’t imagine how tight the space is for these little guys.  They are now at or above 2lbs each and with my short torso and Scott’s genetics, man…these guys must be ready to get out and stretch.  And, since we have a little less than 3 months left, they are really going to hate being in there as the get bigger and bigger.