20 weeks

I'm actually 20 weeks now, but all of these pictures were taken last week at 19 weeks. The past week has been filled with lots of doctors appointments and changes to my routines. I found out on Valentine's day that I do have gestational diabetes. I was already preparing myself for that, but it's hard to face the reality when I now have to be on a diet for at least 15 weeks. I'm in a Catch 22 on the one hand I want my babies to big and healthy for birth, but on the other, I want to do what's best for them and maintain a good blood sugar levels. So last week started with a trip to the Diabetes Education Center where I was given my diet plan and told to go off and put it into practice for the first week. Here's my diet....

Before Breakfast - Test blood sugar (should be under 95)

Breakfast - 30g carbs or 2 carb servings

2 hours After Breakfast - Test blood sugar (should be under 120)

AM Snack - 30g carbs or 2 carb servings

Lunch - 45g carbs or 3 carb servings

2 hours After Lunch - Test blood sugar (should be under 120)

Afternoon Snack - 30g carbs or 2 carb servings

Dinner - 45g carbs or 3 carb servings

2 hours After Dinner - Test blood sugar (should be under 120)

Bedtime Snack - 30g or 2 carb servings.

For the first week, I had to write down everything that I put into my mouth and track my blood sugar on the schedules that they gave me. This morning I went back to the dietician to see how I was doing and I got a good grade... I'm on my own now. Keep checking my blood sugar and counting those carbs. You would not believe the amount of carbs that are in the things that we love... For instance, the large lemonade at Chick fil a, can't have it at all... 92g of carbs! Woozer!

Also, last Monday, I made my 3rd visit to the Maternal Fetal Specialist. The boys are both healthy and growing. They were actually about 5-6 days ahead of their gestational age measuring both exactly 12 oz. I have two coke cans in my belly right now! The Dr has referred me to a Pediatric Cardiologist for Baby A because he has a slight VSD (ventricular septal defect), otherwise known as a "hole in the heart" or sometimes referred to as a heart murmur. This hole is tiny and will hopefully not be a big deal at all, but we're going to get it checked out just in case. Prayers for that would be much appreciated.

Here's are their pictures from the specialist visit...

Last week, this is what I looked like. I feel like I am already bigger this week. It's much harder to bend over and I'm definitely not moving as fast as I once did. My final doctor appointment last week was to my OB. Those visits are nice and easy, sonogram to hear both babies hearts and then talk about any concerns that I may have. Then she measured my belly, with one baby the measurement should be equal to the weeks you are.... not for me, at the time I was 19 weeks and I was measuring 25 weeks. Makes me feel real good about what I have to look forward to in the coming weeks.

Only one more doctor appointment this week (the previously mentioned cardiologist), and then I have a break from doctors for two whole weeks. Can you believe it?!?

Zach is working hard on the remodel of the babies room. Nothing is ever easy in the Shirley household. While he works hard, I will be registering for all the necessities on Thursday evening. Everything in pairs!

And I'll leave you with this pic of our sweet puppy, Derby. He just can't resist a basket full of freshly washed laundry. He thinks it makes the best bed!

17 Weeks

This is week 17 with the babies. We're about halfway there if I go to the average amount of weeks for a twin gestation. About two weeks ago, I took the one hour glucose test as my doctor advised. Since I am carrying two babies and I have a family history of Type II diabetes, my doctor wanted to be extra cautious. I found out this week that I failed the one hour test, so tomorrow I go in for the 3 hour test. I know the babies and I are going to be starving when the test is over. I'll go straight to lunch, and then on to work. Hopefully I'll know the outcome of the test by Monday, so that I can get on a gestational diabetes plan right away if I need to. Since I'm preparing to have diabetes, Zach and I made a feast tonight. Tortilla crusted chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli cornbread. Yum! None of these dishes will be friendly to me if the test comes back that I failed.

Hopefully in the next week our master bathroom project will be completely finished. Be looking for the final pictures of the latest project in the Shirley house.

Two boys are better than one!

Announcing Twin Shirley boys!!

At our 2nd appointment with the specialist today, we found out for sure that they are both boys. It was very evident from the ultrasound today, even Zach and I could tell for sure. Thankfully, they were both cooperating!

Here's another couple of sweet images that we got from the ultrasound today.

This is our 16th week... and so far it's starting out a lot better than last. Last Sunday night, Zach and I made a trip to the ER so that I could breathe. I had a mild asthma attack for the first time in at least 10 years. After a breathing treatment and some medicine, I felt like a new person. I could breathe without any problems, and I slept great that night. This week I have a lot more energy and I am excited to start fixing up the babies room.

In other news, today is our Derby dog's 2nd birthday. We think that he knows.... he's been a little more ornery today. Hard to imagine with a Jack Russell, right?

Oh Babies....

As most of you know, we are pregnant with twins. Due officially on July 17th, but hoping to carry till 38 weeks or July 4th.

These ultrasound pics are from my 12 week appointment with the specialist. At this appointment, they tested for chromosomal disorders. Before the appointment, I was told that my risk was 1 in 700 for disorders which is pretty minimal. After the appointment and testing was performed, I improved to a 1 in 2000 chance. I'd say I'm in the clear.

One thing I learned at this appointment was the distinction between the twins, doctors typically label Twin A as the one closest to the cervix. At the time of this appointment, Twin A was vertical and doing a handstand. Twin B is closer to my belly. Twin B was laying horizontal across me.

It was a fascinating appointment to see all the movement and I was amazed at how much they could see already at only 12 weeks.

I have really been terrible at taking pictures, but I hope to be better from here on out. I had Zach take some good pics of me today at 15 weeks. I am still wearing my clothes, but I can't wear my jeans without a Bella band. I am more comfortable in outfits that don't hug my belly like this dress. It was perfect and thankfully still fit when I took it out of the closet to wear to church yesterday morning.

I go to my doctor on Wednesday for a checkup and back to the specialist on Monday for another checkup. We should hopefully know for sure on Monday, January 31st what the babies are. We have a guesstimate right now, but we'll wait to share that with the world until we know for sure. So... stay tuned for exciting information!

4 weeks from today

In exactly 4 weeks from today, my husband will be a college graduate!! Can I just tell you that is one of the most exciting things ever?!? Also, we will celebrate our 5 year anniversary on that day. Pretty good anniversary present if you ask me!

101010

Yesterday was a special day. Not only was it binary day 101010, but it was my 29th birthday. So in honor, here are 10 pictures to document 101010.





My birthday gift from Zach was a pair of cranberry TOMS wedges and Beauty and the Beast.




So glad to finally have my very own pair of TOMS.





My actual birthday was at 10:10am on 10/10/10!





Ate lunch with the church bunch at Potbelly's.





Claire gave me a big smile for my bday.





Derby helped me do the laundry.





Watched the rangers lose game 4 in the division playoff game. (They must pull off a win tomorrow night.)





Made hotdogs for dinner.






And watched Beauty and the Beast in our backyard on the big screen that Zach rigged.





A great way to end my 29th birthday on 101010!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Moving Ganky

In the last week a lot has happened in my grandmother's life. She has decided that she just shouldn't be by herself anymore and so she is moving from Groesbeck to Beaumont to live with her daughter. So in making this decision she had to sell her house that she has lived in for the last 40ish years. It's the only house that I can ever remember my grandparents in, so it has lots of memories. Fortunately all this happened while Ganky (my grandmother) is still with us. So this past weekend my whole family went down to help organize and pick out anything that we wanted. We came home with lots of treasures and lots of stories about the memories behind all of our treasures.



You can't tell from the pic but this is her sewing machine. I'm excited to learn how to use this one as it is older than my mom's sewing machine. I also took this big glass water bottle. Ganky gave me the last change that grandaddy had to start my coin collection in the glass jar.





I was really excited about this lamp because I was able to replace one that we got for a wedding present that really didn't fit our style. This goes perfectly with our style. I also brought home two tractor seat stools that they always had out by the shed. I can remember playing on these as a child. We are going to paint them and find a good spot on the deck for them.



I brought this old Hunter fan home especially for Zach because we gave seen them in antique stores but they were always so expensive. Now he has his very own and he didn't even have to pay for it.


I'm sad to say that I won't be going to Groesbeck amymore for family gatherings, but I'm so glad that Ganky shared some of her treasures with us.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone