They're Silly

Especially when they get to play outside.

Are you f-ing kidding me?

This is what I said to my doctor yesterday after she gave me some not-so-great news.

Let me start by saying that Chocolate Marker (baby Rosier #3) is only at 25 weeks right now.

I went to the doctor yesterday afternoon to have my cervix measured (I've been doing this every 2 weeks for 4 weeks now) and my cervix has continued to shorten in length (which is bad). It started off 4 weeks ago measuring at 51-53, then it measured at 31-34 two weeks ago, and today it was 14-16 (which apparently is very dangerous). After my appointment, I was sent directly to the hospital for monitoring (to see if I was contracting), a shot of steroids (to try to develop the baby's lungs in case of preterm delivery), and a urine analysis (to see if I had an infection). The good news was that one of my co-workers (Thanks, Alison!) was available to come over and watch the kiddos so that Wes could come with me.

The results? I am not contracting at all, I got the shot (and I have to get another shot today), and I do not have an infection. I was sent home last night, but this means that they are not sure why my cervix is shortening. 

I have been put on strict bedrest (I have to remain horizontal), I have to do hormone therapy (which I will start today at home), and I have to go back to the hospital this afternoon to get another steroid shot. The hope is that the hormones will stop the shortening of the cervix (although lengthening it is unlikely at this point) and the steroids will develop the baby's lungs 1-2 weeks ahead of it's actual age (so, for example, if I deliver at 28 weeks, the baby's lungs will be around 30 weeks).

The weird part is that I feel fine. Like totally fine. Much better this time around than when I was pregnant with the twins. Fingers crossed that I can make it to at least 34 weeks... we'll have to just wait and see.

Here's a pic of Vivi and I on Day One of strict bed rest.

We still do it

I'm just too lazy to scan them into my computer anymore. Here are our photo strips from the last three times we made it to the mall.

These are my favs from this trio.

An Afternoon Walk to JMU

Yesterday's weather was nicer than usual. So, after the kiddos' nap, we took a walk to JMU. We started off with the kiddos in their stroller so they could eat their afternoon snack on the way. But once we got there (JMU is only about 3 blocks from our house), it was time to run and play.

We played on JMU's campus mall and we walked all over the place. We even snapped a few pictures with the statue of James Madison!

On the walk back home, we encountered two puppies! G & V were in love!

We had originally brought the stroller because we thought that the twins would be too tired to walk back, but to our surprise, they happily walked back to the house... very slowly... but happily.

ABC's

Poor girl always forgets about that damn Q.

Valentine's Day 2012

When the kiddos woke up on Tuesday morning, we told them that it was Valentine's Day (we hadn't talked about it at all prior to Tuesday). We got dressed upstairs in our red and pink and told them to wait at the top of the stairs until it was time to come downstairs.

Last year, I decided to copy one of my friends, Maren, in her tradition of giving her kids books for little holidays. We've been doing it for the last few holidays and we (and the kiddos) love it! They each got a pack of flash cards, two Sesame Street books, an empty candy container (we called it a "magic wand") with a necklace in it, and two pieces of chocolate. I also covered the table with purple, blue, red, and pink necklaces from the dollar store.

We ate pancakes and strawberry yogurt for breakfast. The twins spent the ENTIRE day playing with their goodies, especially the monkey balloons. 

JMU was closed on Tuesday, so I organized a free "Love Seminar" for students. It was really fun and I had a pretty nice turn-out.

We had a great Valentine's Day!

Wes' Bday

Wes' birthday was on Monday. We started the day off with cupcakes. Wes was still sleeping when I was making cupcakes int he kitchen. G & V knew it was Daddy's birthday and were very excited for him to come down. They also knew that I was making cupcakes. When Wes came downstairs, I told him to watch TV with the kiddos in the living room.

This is one of the conversations he had with Gavin:

Gavin: "Daddy, Mommy made cupcake for yo birfday!"
Wes: "Gavin, I don't think you're supposed to tell me that."
Gavin: (while covering his mouth) "Oh no!"

Gavin then proceeded to cry about spoiling the surprise. It was pitiful. Until the cupcakes came out. Then he was fine. We all sang happy birthday and let Wes blow out his candle before eating several lemon cupcakes with apples for breakfast.

We lounged around for most of the morning before taking G & V to the pet store for the hell of it. They love going to the pet store. They love to look at and talk about all of the animals in cages and they get super-pumped when they see someone with their dog or cat. Both kids are not shy at all, walking up to strangers asking them if they can pet their kitty/puppy. This time, the grooming center had a few dogs getting haircuts, which was "totally awesome" to Gavin.

We had lunch, ate some more cupcakes while watching their fav show (Dora the Explorer), and then put the kiddos down for their nap.

After nap, we played around the house for a little while before heading out to eat at CiCi's Pizza and then to Chick Fil-A for dessert and some play place fun.

Funny story about CiCi's:

• We put the kidos in booster seats for the very first time (we usually either let them sit in a booth without anything or make them sit in high chairs so that they stay put). They were IN LOVE with their new seats. They kept telling us how "cool" and "awesome" it was.

Funny story about Chick-Fil-A:

• There were a lot of older kids playing rather rough in the indoor play area. Wes and I were a bit on edge watching our little twins try to navigate around them. Then, we saw our sweet little Vivian interacting with three of the most rambunctious boys (who were probably around 9 or 10 years old). As each one passed her, she loudly hissed at them like a cat with her hands up and "claws" out. then, she yelled, "slow down!" As we watched her in amazement, Wes said to me, "Oh, we don't need to worry. She's fine."

It was an amazing day for an amazing daddy. Happy Birthday, Wes!

23.5 Weeks

down by the bay

Rosier Visit

Linda (Wes' mom) and Philip (Wes' brother) came down for a visit this past weekend. We went out to dinner, did a little shopping, and played lots of games at the house. But the highlight of the weekend was Sunday when we went out to breakfast for Wes' birthday (which was actually today). The kiddos ate pancakes and scrambled eggs and loved every bit of it.

The best part was when they brought out an ice cream sundae for Wes' birthday and sang a loud birthday song with lots of clapping. We thought the twins would LOVE it, but they were really in shock the whole time.

They weren't shy about eating the ice cream and feeding it to other people.

Come back again soon!