2014 Here We Come!

 

I can remember the end of 2012 and Jared and I thinking about making a decision on what to do about having a baby. We had not been thinking about it for a few months prior to Christmas, but we wanted a baby so badly we knew that we had to make a decision. So we decided in January we would start IUI thinking that it would work and we would have a baby by the end of the year. Little did we know at the time we would try that three months in a row and still have no baby in sight. We then made the next big decision of our life to start IVF. The long journey of prepping for IVF and all of the shots, medications, and praying led us to what became the best moments of our lives so far in 2013. We finally had not one baby but two babies on board that would grow throughout the year and be born very early on in 2014. It has been an AMAZING year and we are so thankful for each and every day of this journey we've been on. I wouldn't change it for the world. How surreal that we did our first IUI on January 18th and we very well will have our twin boys by then! 2013 has been an end to sadness. A beginning of joy, pure elation, happiness, love, blessings, answered prayers, and excitement. We are so ready to bring on 2014 and we can HONESTLY say this year will be the best year yet! Every year we tried getting pregnant on New Year's Eve we would always say this is our year and now we can actually say it and know it's true! Happy Happy New Year!!! God has blessed us beyond what we could ever have imagined! He truly had the master plan and executed it perfectly! I couldn't ask for a better life!

Here is a look back on our 2013! We have had so many amazing memories of this year and I can't wait for the new memories to make in 2014!

 

 

 

 

 



I Love My Bump: Week 34

This week marks my 34th week! I'm almost to my goal of 36! I go off of my Procardia, which has been controlling contractions, next Monday. I will be 35 weeks ,2 days! My doctor is thinking that I will start trying to go into labor within a couple days. So I will be very close to 36 weeks. If I haven't had them by the 36 week mark then he wants me to try to doing things to induce labor. If nothing has happened by the next week, then he will induce me. He doesn't feel like that's going to be an issue though, and I'm hoping I can do it on my own! So maybe within 13 days we will have our baby boys! I got a steroid shot at the my last appointment to help with lung development just in case they come early. I can't wait to meet them!

How far along?
34 weeks, 2 days today!

 

Trimester?
3rd!

How many days until my due date?
12 days to 36 weeks!!

How big are the babies?
The babies are the size of a butternut squash!

 

Weight gain?
I gained about 2 pounds this week.

What milestones did the babies reach this week?
This week the twins are supposed to be around 18 inches long. Fat layers- which will help regulate their body temperature after birth- are filling the twins out, making them rounder. Their skin is smoother than ever. The central nervous system is maturing and their lungs are continuing to mature as well. Since I've been nervous about pre-term labor it's good to know that babies born between 34-37 weeks who have no other health problems do just fine!! 

Pregnancy symptoms?
Sniffles still. I get up quite a bit at night to use the bathroom. I've been having a lot of Braxton hicks!!!!

Cravings/Aversions?
Panera bread's greek salad and turkey on sourdough bread, Red Lobster's Cesar salad, coconut butterfly shrimp with pineapple sauce, and grilled shrimp skewer over chicken, California Pizza Kitchen's avocado chicken egg rolls. (This was the same as last week!! I did get my avocado egg rolls though :)

Sleep?
Insomnia city! I wake every couple hours to use the bathroom and then think surely it's almost time to get up...and it will be like 1:47AM. I'm not comfortable in bed anymore at all. I feel like I have a huge bowling ball in my stomach and can't turn over without help or holding my belly on the side to support it. I feel like every bone in my chest and my ribs are breaking when I lay on my side. Not fun!

Belly Button?
In..I don't know how but it is.

Wedding rings on or off?
On some days, off some days.

Swelling?
I had no swelling until I started the Procardia and steroid shot and pills. After I take either one of those it's over. Swollen feet and a little in my hands. My face is swollen. I also get realllly red from the Procardia all over. I look like I just got out of the tanning bed and roasted myself. My blood pressure has been good this whole time so we know it's not swelling from that.

Labor signs?
Braxton hicks. That's about it right now. I'm hoping that changes in a week when I go off of this medicine.

Dreams?
None. I'm not asleep enough to dream.

Best moment of the week? 
Thinking about going into labor and knowing it's right around the corner! Also, Jared's coworkers threw us a baby shower at the hospital and it was perfect! The food was awesome and we got so many gifts! He is blessed to work with such a fun group of people!

 

What I'm loving?
That I'm going to see these boys soon!

What I miss?
Bending over.
Putting lotion on my legs (poor Jared has to do this every night)
Being able to roll over in bed and not feel like I weight 300 pounds.
Wearing my old clothes.
Being able to put on and take off my own boots.
Being able to drink coffee or soda if I want one.
Not worrying about how much fish or rice I'm eating because of the mercury content.
Being able to get off the couch without breathing heavy.
Being able to do housework and every day tasks without feeling breathless and my heart palpitating out of my chest.

What I'm looking forward to?
BIRTH!!!!!

What emotions have I experienced this week?
Emotional quite a bit. I cry over everything all the time!

Boys, Girls, or Both?
BOYS!!!!

 

Movement?
Some. Their movement has really slowed down, and that's due to NO ROOM in my belly anymore!!!

Stretch marks?
Well...I think we have spotted one reallllly down low on my belly. Very upset about it. I'm still lathering up. I'm just glad it's really low and not up high!

What has daddy been up to this week?
Jared has been having to help me put on my shoes everyday.
Lather up with lotion after my showers.
Laundry, cooking, back rubs a couple times a day, foot rubs a couple times a day, massages my legs everyday. He's keeping busy! lol.

When do I think I will go into labor?
I go off of my Procardia next Monday. He thinks it won't be long after that but we will see. If I haven't had them by 37 weeks then I will be induced. But my doctor won't even address that because he doesn't think it's going to happen.

Nesting?
We are packed up and ready to go!

Devotional from the book, "Expecting Praying for your Child's Development Body & Soul": Conviction: Skeleton  "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." -Ephesians 6:14-15
Lord, I want our little ones to be physically strong. As I think about their frame, I pray that they will be sturdy! Harden those bones, so they'll be able to withstand the bumps and knocks of life. I don't want them to be fragile or easily broken. I pray that they will be able to stand straight and tall all the days of their life. And may they stand tall for truth and righteousness as well. When those around them are unsure of their beliefs, when their convictions crumble, may they stand firm and fast. Help us to instill in them a knowledge of the truth. May they be so familiar with your truth that they can recognize a lie from a mile away. Lord, don't let them be dragged down by deceptive philosophies the world is so quick to offer. Make them strong. Thank you for being their strong tower. They can run to you, lean on you, and you'll never fail them! Bless your name, Lord!

The Story Book Lady Retires

It was a very bittersweet day for my grandma as she had her retirement party at the library today! She is very excited to start her new life of being home and being able to relax and spend time with my grandpa and of course helping with the two new additions to the family! It will be very strange for me to drive by the library and know that she isn't there anymore. I know how much she loved her job so this will definitely be a BIG adjustment for her. But it's time for her to enjoy herself and have some time to do what she wants to do! I'm so very grateful to the library staff who threw her this wonderful party. It was perfect! They really thought of everything!

I love the canvas they made to have people sign instead of a guestbook!

The library girls!

The resolution from Paul Fitzwater and Ben Harris that was read at the party!

TR Dudley presented this certificate to my grandma in her honor. December 29 is now officially Miss Dorothy Day in our town!

I Love My Bump: Week 33

This is me and my friend Jordan!! She's pregnant as well with a little boy and she's due in February! I can't wait to meet our three boys!

Here is my 33 week Bump on the Sunday before Christmas!

How far along?
33 weeks, 5 days today!

 

Trimester?
3rd!

How many days until my due date?
16 days to 36 weeks!!

How big are the babies?
The babies weigh as much as a durian fruit!

 

Weight gain?
I gained about 2 pounds this week.

What milestones did the babies reach this week?
This week the twins have passed the 17 inch mark. They are rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look. Their skeleton is hardening. The bones in their skulls aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap. This makes it easier for them to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as their brains and other tissues expand during infancy and childhood.

Pregnancy symptoms?
Sniffles still. I get up quite a bit at night to use the bathroom. I'm a little more hungry some days but I think that's because of my medicine. I've been having Braxton hicks some.

Cravings/Aversions?
Panera bread's greek salad and turkey on sourdough bread, Red Lobster's Cesar salad, coconut butterfly shrimp with pineapple sauce, and grilled shrimp skewer over chicken, California Pizza Kitchen's avocado chicken egg rolls.

Sleep?
Sleeping pretty well. I actually sometimes don't even want to wake up to start my meds.

Belly Button?
In!

Wedding rings on or off?
On some days, off some days.

Swelling?
My feet swell some if I'm on them or walk quite a bit.

Labor signs?
None that I'm aware of.

Dreams?
I had a dream I was on the tv show "The Chew" and was talking with Daphne Oz about being pregnant (since she's pregnant too). Anyway I tweeted about it and she tweeted me back! It was pretty cool!!

Best moment of the week? 
CHRISTMAS!!!! My family coming from Kansas City and St. Louis to spend Christmas together!

 

What I'm loving?
I can't believe Christmas is over...but I'm looking forward to my Grandma's retirement and then the twins' will be here!

What I miss?
Bending over.
Putting lotion on my legs (poor Jared has to do this every night)
Being able to roll over in bed and not feel like I weight 300 pounds.
Wearing my old clothes.
Being able to put on and take off my own boots.
Being able to drink coffee or soda if I want one.
Not worrying about how much fish or rice I'm eating because of the mercury content.
Being able to get off the couch without breathing heavy.
Being able to do housework and every day tasks without feeling breathless and my heart palpitating out of my chest.

What I'm looking forward to?
BIRTH!!!!!

What emotions have I experienced this week?
Emotional quite a bit. It's overwhelming to think we only have a couple weeks left!

Boys, Girls, or Both?
BOYS!!!!

 

Movement?
At night and during the day. Pretty much anytime I sit down to relax or be quiet they go crazy!

Stretch marks?
None yet!!! I'm hoping lathering up with this tummy butter and cocoa butter lotion will work wonders!

What has daddy been up to this week?
Jared has been a huge help to me this Christmas. He helped my grandma decorate our house, and her own house. He waits on me hand and foot.

When do I think I will go into labor?
My doctor told me that he will start weaning me off of my medicine at 35 weeks. And we will have some things to start doing to get labor progressing. So the way it looks Jan. 11th is the hopeful time the twins will make their arrival.

Nesting?
We are packed up and ready to go! A couple more weeks!

Devotional from the book, "Expecting Praying for your Child's Development Body & Soul": Sexual Purity: Testicles  "So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel saying, "Because I asked the Lord for him." -1 Samuel 1:20
Father, thank you for the little babies growing inside my womb. These two boys that I'm carrying have a big week ahead. Their testicles are descending into their scrotum from inside their bodies where you formed and fashioned them. I don't pretend to have any idea how you create our bodies with the capacity of reproduction. What evidence for a Creator! Lord, I pray for sexual purity for our sons. They are being born into a world that has cheapened sex. You created it as a pure and precious gift for them to share with their wife someday, and our culture has twisted and abused it. I know it's going to take a lifetime of prayer and wisdom on my part to help them stay pure. Will you fill their hearts with the desire to honor you with their actions? And God, I pray that you will bless them with the ability to father children. I want them to experience the joy and amazement of parenthood.

'Tis the Season to be Pregnant!

This was our last Christmas just the two of us! We had a great Christmas with our families!Andrew, Krista, Karsyn, Kaia, Tim and Patty all came for Christmas! It was a house full but it was fun spending time with everyone. Jared and I got awesome gifts just like every year, and Liam and Asher got some gifts as well!

 Andrew, Krista, and the girls got Liam and Asher some KC Chiefs gear! It's so adorable!



 These two beautiful girls have grown up so much! I can't believe how fast time flies!

Andrew and Krista's beautiful family!

I love this picture of Tim, Andrew, and Me!

Tim and Patty and their baby Nelly! Such a great picture!

My grandparents!!! The people who make this family possible!

My grandparents and two of their boys...my dad had already left to go to Jennifer's family.

Tim and Patty always have fun!

The grandkids! Kaia wasn't feeling good at all. lol

 

 

Now that Christmas is over....my next big goal to get through is my Grandma's retirement party on Sunday! After that the boys can be born anytime, we are ready!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Baking!

My husband never ceases to blow me away. He helped my grandma in the kitchen all day the day before Christmas Eve and the day of cooking! He loves being in the kitchen lately!
We made meatballs, chicken salad, bacon wrapped smokies, cheese ball, buffalo chicken dip, spinach dip, veggie tray, whoopie pies, peanut butter blossom cookies, and white chocolate chex mix. We were a little exhausted!

Because we were doing so much baking, my grandpa decided to give my grandma one of her Christmas presents to use while we baked!

I Love My Bump: Week 32

I started my new medicine this week. It's called Procardia and used to prevent pre-term labor. I'm still taking my other medicine as well and my last day for that is Christmas day! My cervix shortened a little bit (probably due to walking around the mall for two hours before my appt.) so the doctor started me on this medicine to keep me pregnant! I'm still looking good for 36 weeks!

We got our Christmas cards in this week. They are so adorable! I'm so happy with them! We have been waiting so long to be able to have a family Christmas card! I can't wait until next Christmas!

How far along?
32 weeks, 5 days today!

Trimester?
3rd!

How many days until my due date?
23 days to 36 weeks!!

How big are the babies?
The babies weigh as much as a jicama!

Weight gain?
I gained about 2 pounds this week.

What milestones did the babies reach this week?
The twins are supposed to be weighing in at 3.75 pounds this week, but we know they are ahead of that. They are roughly 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in my uterus. I'm supposed to be gaining a pound a week and half of that weight gain goes to the babies. They will gain a third to half of their birth weight during the next few weeks as they fatten up for survival outside the womb. They now have toenails, fingernails, and real hair. The skin on their bodies is becoming soft and smooth as they plump up in preparation for birth.

Pregnancy symptoms?
Sniffles still. I get up at least 5 times a night to use the bathroom. Tired. Feel like I'm carrying around a huge bowling ball.

Cravings/Aversions?
coffee, soda, chocolate anything, lucky charms, waffles, garlic toast, salad, cheese, oranges, pretty much any fruit. I'm craving fruit all the time!

Sleep?
Sleeping well! Just going to the bathroom a lot at night!

Belly Button?
In!

Wedding rings on or off?
On some days, off some days.

Swelling?
No major swelling!

Labor signs?
I've been having braxton hicks but they aren't painful or close together.

Dreams?
I've had dreams but nothing crazy or out of the ordinary.

Best moment of the week? 
Getting another appointment under my belt. I don't go back until after Christmas. I only have 3 appointments left! We went to the Christmas parade to watch my grandma...it was her last parade at the library!

 

Jared had his ugly sweater day at work this week! He looked so cute! We put two stockings on his sweater with Liam and Asher's name on them!

 

 

We also had our Puggles Christmas party at Church! The kiddos are so adorable! I'm going to miss them and Meagan over the next couple months while I'm on leave!

 

 

What I'm loving?
Christmas is almost here, My grandma's retirement is almost here, and that means the TWINS are almost here!!!!

My dad and Jennifer got us our first "Expecting" Christmas ornament!! I'd been meaning to stop and have one made every time we would go shopping but we were always in such a hurry!

What I miss?
Bending over without feeling like I can't breathe, being able to buy and wear cute clothes, my big handbags, eating and drinking what I want to.

What I'm looking forward to?
CHRISTMAS!!! My family is coming in on Christmas Eve so we will be having finger foods and stuff like that. I'm so excited to see all of them and for them to see me and my big belly!!!

What emotions have I experienced this week?
Excited. Nervous. Anxious. Crying a lot because I can't believe it's almost time to meet these two little guys!

Boys, Girls, or Both?
BOYS!!!! Liam Alexander Politte & Asher Matthew Politte

 

Movement?
All the time! They kick, punch, roll over, and push out on my belly more times a day than I can count!

Stretch marks?
None yet!!! I'm hoping lathering up with this tummy butter and cocoa butter lotion will work wonders!

What has daddy been up to this week?
Jared has been doing pretty much whatever I ask of him! He's the best. I don't know what I would do without him!

When do I think I will go into labor?
My doctor told me that he will start weaning me off of my medicine at 35 weeks. And we will have some things to start doing to get labor progressing. So the way it looks Jan. 11th is the hopeful time the twins will make their arrival.

Nesting?
Packing hospital bags and the twins' bags! It's the most surreal moment of my life thus far!

Devotional from the book, "Expecting Praying for your Child's Development Body & Soul": Strength: Muscles "The Lord gives strength to his people, the Lord blesses his people with peace." -Psalm 29:11
Father, my baby has been gaining lots of muscle lately. They are getting stronger and stronger with each passing day. Lord, I want our children to be strong-not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I pray that you will give them the strength to always stand up for what is right. I think especially of their teenage years when negative peer pressure will be a real and frightening force. God help them to stand firm in you. Give them strength to resist any temptation that goes against your word. Help them to stand strong and fast in the midst of adversity. Give them the confidence that they can do anything you ask them to do. Remind them of Philippians 4:13- "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Help me to build a foundation of truth into their life at a young age, so they'll have the tools they need to be strong. I praise you, my strong and almighty God.