Zac's Dr. Appt.

Zac had his 15 month check-up today and they also checked his ears to make sure the infection was gone. Of course it wasn't. Both ears were still red, more meds. Tubes will be in his near future. The doctor didn't give him his 2 shots he needed. Zac will get them in 2 weeks when we go back for another check-up. Between the two of us, it feels like we're constantly going to the Doctor! That explains why the little DID NOT SLEEP AT ALL last night. I put him to bed around 7 and about 10pm (right before I was going to bed), he started screaming. I checked on him and changed his diaper, thinking that was the reason. Nope, so I rocked him and layed him down. Right when I left his room, more screaming. I was tired so I decided we'd just sleep on the floor. Ryan doesn't do too well with Zac sleeping in bed with us. After last night's experience of sleeping on the hard floor (blankets didn't do much for comfort), we need to get a spare bed or recliner! We've been thinking about getting a recliner, so now it's a MUST! Cross your fingers we both get a full night's sleep!

Week 21

Wow, I'm already at 21 weeks! Time has gone by fast! Then it drags on towards the end. This weekend I bought another "Belly Book" that's really the name of the book. I bought one with Zac and thought it would be neat to do another one with the girls. It's a week-by-week journal and you can put your weekly belly shots in it. It's crazy seeing the difference from carrying 1 baby to 2! I had another doctor's appt. today. I thought after this appt, I would see the specialist once a month, but I'm going back again in 2 weeks. Ryan got off work in time to go with me, which was nice. The girls look great! Weighing in at 12 and 13 oz! They are getting bigger. I am still amazed every time I see 2 babies on the screen. They do each have a placenta. At first we thought they shared one, but the doc said they each have one, but they are close together. However, there are no signs of them sharing, sometimes when the placentas are close, they can fuse together. Weeks 21-24 Babies' Growth: Each twin’s weight gain during this period is substantial, doubling again to about twenty ounces each (1.25 pounds), and to a length of about twelve inches. Your twins’ skin appears red and wrinkled because of the absence of fat beneath the skin, but by the end of the month, the growth makes the babies appear in better proportion. By the end of the twenty-fourth week distinctive footprints and fingerprints have been formed. Mother's Changes: The rapid growth during the past eight weeks stretches the abdomen, causing pinkish or reddish streaks in the skin, called striae, or stretch marks. After delivery, they will fade to a light silver color, but will not disappear completely. Another skin change that may occur in some women is a brownish discoloration on the By the end of the second trimester, your blood volume has increased by one hundred percent or more over your non-pregnant levels. Red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body, have increased by 50 to 60 percent. With Zac, I only got a few little stretch marks on my sides at the end of my pregnancy. This time around, I can already see them. It's my body's way of making room for the girls. I don't care, it's not like I'm going to be wearing a bikini any time soon, if ever again!

Christmas at Grandma Linda's

After Mimi's house we headed over to Grandma Linda's (Ryan's Mom). That house was a zoo! There are 5 grandkids ranging from 5 months to 2.5 years old. Next year will be even crazier! Finally the girls will outnumber the boys! I was still pretty full from eating earlier, but somehow I managed to eat more. It was tough, but I did it! Zac had a blast playing with his toys: bulldozers and trucks. Uncle Nick got each nephew/niece a cool toy. Zac got a bulldozer he can sit and ride on. Cousin Matt pushed him around the living room. Funny thing is they weigh almost the same- Zac is 15 months and Matt is 2.5! Before we left, all the girls had to sit together for a group shot, then it was the guys turn. What a wonderful Christmas we had!

Christmas at Mimi's

Today, Ryan let me "sleep in" until 8:30am. He woke up and took care of Zac.We opened a few presents and then it was time to get ready for Mimi Donna's. Dinner was at noon and we enjoyed yummy Honey-Baked ham with all our favorite side dishes. I made spinach and artichoke dip. We actually opened presents first (the kids were too excited) then we ate. We all received great gifts, even the girls! Aunt Jenn, Uncle Rich, and Maddie got them 2 packages of diapers (the BEST presents ever!) and a cute pink picture frame that says "Twice Blessed." Aunt Carrie, Uncle Chuck and the kids got them very cute pink/brown onesies with matching pants and a set of receiving blankets. Mimi and Papa bought them the cutest sleep sacks with flowers on them, and pink hats to match. They are preemie sizes, they look like doll outfits! Mimi loved her "Mimi of Twins" canvas bag as did Papa and his "Papa of Twins" coffee mug. Of course Zac made out well with a ton of toys, movies, puzzles, and cute clothes from Baby Gap! Grandma Beth bought Ryan and I AMC movie passes! That also comes with a night of baby-sitting (or Zac spending the night) We haven't actually seen a movie in a theater, in I don't know how long! Dinner and a movie, what's that like? I told Ryan I get to pick the movie! I'm not sitting through or wasting my movie pass on some dumb comedy. He already suggested "Mall Cop" which comes out in January. I, of course ate too much. Hey, the girls were hungry, I can't deprive them of food, can I? For dessert I couldn't pass up Grandma Settle's banana cream pie and Aunt Carrie's sugar cookies.

Christmas Eve

Unfortunately Ryan had to work today. Zac and I hung out and played together. He has been quite the chatterbox lately! It's so amusing just to listen to him "talk." I'm sure he knows exactly what he's saying. Ryan didn't get home until about 2:30pm. He changed real quick and we were off to Aunt Becky's house for dinner. Dinner was at 3, but we didn't arrive until almost 4pm. Oh well. It was quite the crowd: aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas, grandpas, cousins. We enjoyed yummy food, especially Aunt Charlotte's infamous sugar cookies! We opened presents and had a visit from Santa Claus! (Uncle Bud). Once again, Zac stared in awe. I'm not sure if it's the beard or the whole red outfit or what. Next stop was Aunt Rhonda's. Last year we enjoyed Mexican food, this year Zarda BBQ filled our tummies. It's nice to have a break from the traditional ham dinner. Afterwards we played Christmas Bingo. I was the first to win, I ended up with a hot chocolate mug set and Ryan was one of the last to win, with a Wal-Mart giftcard. That will definitely come in handy! While Ryan and I played Bingo, Grandma Beth kept Zac entertained in the kids' room. It was a busy, but very fun night with good food and spending time with family.

Fun at the Mall!

Today I took Zac to the Independence Center to see Santa Claus. I was dreading the crowds, but it wasn't too bad. Finding a parking spot was the worst. We stood in line to see Santa, Zac was so good! I wasn't sure how he'd react to sitting on Santa's lap. After all, I had woken him up from a nap and took him out of the warm car into the cold, rainy weather. It was finally our turn and Zac just stared at Santa! It was too funny. I tried getting his attention for the pictures, all I got was the back of his head! (with my camera). Of course you have to make a minimum purchase in order to use your own camera. Next year, we'll be going to Wal-Mart or Hy-Vee, haha! Of course those 2 places had Santa last weekend, but not this. Since he was such a good boy, I took him to the kids play area. At first, he just stood there and watched the other kids play. I walked over to a tree stump and he crawled through it. He got warmed up and was all over the place! It was a fun mother/son day!

Staying In!

This weekend was pretty uneventful, as was last weekend. With the holidays approaching, we will be very busy making the rounds to our families. So we've been relaxing. Friday night the boys fell asleep in the living room. We all love Ryan's new Mon-Fri schedule! Saturday we did our grocery shopping. For dinner, we went over to Grandma Linda's. Sunday we pretty much hung out at home. Ryan had been craving steak, so he braved the cold weather and grilled. Like he doesn't freeze enough at work! I didn't take a pic of him, but I took one of Zac after eating Doritos with lunch!