Baking with Basil

Well…..it’s been sometime since I have posted a new pregnancy update and even longer since I have posted about any sort of food.  Although the food posts will continue one of these days, the pregnancy posts have come to an end.  I am so excited to share with you all that we had TWO BOYS!!!  I’ll post a birth story (it was a crazy one) soon but I wanted to give you all a quick update on us.  The boys decided to join our world on March 5 (at only 33 weeks) and we have been smitten ever since.  They just couldn’t wait to get here.  The boys were admitted into the NICU and have been doing great!  Making progress every day!  They are now both off oxygen and starting to increase their bottle feedings which is great news!  Still no word on when they might be able to come home but that’s ok. We are on their schedule and learning a great deal of patience.  Oliver and Aiden would like to say hello to the blog world:

Oliver Thomas was born at 2:10pm, 4lbs 10oz, 19in long 

Aiden Douglas was born at 2:23pm, 5lbs 7oz, 19in long

Thank you all so much for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!!  

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32 WEEKS

How far along are you? 32 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  35-36 pounds

How big are the babies?  I was a little off with my last estimate of 3 – 3 1/2 lbs.  At our appt last Wednesday (Feb 22nd) Baby A was 4lbs 3 oz and Baby B was 4lbs 11oz!!  Over 8 lbs of baby in there!

Maternity Clothes?  Full panel jeans (don’t be jealous), leggings, and the pajama pants I have on in the picture are my go to bottoms.  My tops are in a constant rotation and shrinking by the day.

Sleep:  Sleep is not what it used to be.  Rolling over is no longer becoming a struggle, it is a struggle.  I’m up about every 1-2 hours to go to the bathroom.

Food Cravings:  Goldfish crackers and cheetos this week.  I need to indulge in that cheetos craving…..crunchy or puffy??

Food Aversions:  No aversions but I am changing up what I eat slightly due to heartburn.

Movement?  All the time, especially after I eat and at night.  When I lay on my side it’s like a soccer game in there.  I wish I could peak in and see what they are doing.

Symptoms:  In addition to the heartburn, I’ve been having terrible nosebleeds for the past couple of months.  The last few got so bad it took about an hour to get them to stop.  So I headed to the ENT doctor.  He cauterized the left side of my nose, that lasted a week, got another one last Wednesday night, went to the ER which some “doctor” attempted to cauterize another spot, I didn’t trust him so I went back to the ENT doctor the next morning and he cauterized another spot – all on the left side.  Although he is a really nice guy, I hope it’s the last time I have to see him.  Also new this week…..swollen ankles!  Good times people.  :)  I would share a picture but it’s not flattering and I have to save some sort of dignity.

Gender:  We are not finding out but I’m getting soo excited to meet them.  :)

Belly Button In or Out?  Unfortunately it’s been out for some time.  I hope it goes back.

Labor Signs?  Still have Braxton Hicks everyday but they aren’t getting anymore frequent, which is good.  Still have about 2-3 an hour that will last sporadically throughout the day.

What I miss?  Being able to work out, sleeping on my stomach/back, my slender ankles, being able to jump off the couch to answer my phone.  Sorry to all that I have missed calls lately.  I do believe the couch is winning in our battle these days.

What I am looking forward to?  My sister is coming to visit in 2 weeks!!!  So excited to have the whole family down here once the little ones arrive.  Miss them all!!

Next appt:  Wednesday, Feb 29th.  I start going weekly from here on out.  The next few will be NST (Non-Stress Tests) to monitor the heartbeats and any contractions (man that word is scary, isn’t it??).  Next ultrasound is in 2 weeks to check the growth and position.

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30 WEEKS

How far along are you? 30 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  30 pounds

How big are the babies?  I’m thinking they are around 3 to 3 1/2 pounds each at this point but I have no idea.  We will find out next Wednesday (22nd)

Maternity Clothes?  I went shopping again over the weekend for my 3rd trimester wardrobe.  I can no longer where my “under the belly” pants which is sad because I loved my black pants from Gap and wore them a few times a week to work.  Bring on the sexy full panel pants!  :)

Sleep:  Sleep is not what it used to be.  Rolling over is even becoming a struggle.  I’m up about every 2 1/2 hours to go to the bathroom.

Food Cravings:  Ice cream, fro yo, popsicles, cereal, crackers and cheese.  I really don’t have a lot of cravings, I wish I did.  Kind of feel like I’m missing out. haha!

Food Aversions:  No aversions but I am changing up what I eat slightly due to heartburn.

Movement?  All the time, especially after I eat.  I think it’s so funny when I talk to them and give them a multiple choice question and they kick back.  ie…..”Should we eat cereal or toast for breakfast?  Give me a kick for cereal, it’s got blueberries.”  I talk to them all the time.

Symptoms:  Terrible heartburn but thanks to Zantac it’s been a lot better.  I also found out a few weeks ago that I’m anemic.  So I’ve been trying to up the green smoothies, spinach salads, and adding nuts and seeds to my meals.

Gender:  We are not finding out.  :)

Belly Button In or Out?  Unfortunately it’s been out for some time.  I hope it goes back.

Labor Signs?  Still have Braxton Hicks everyday but they aren’t getting anymore frequent, which is good.  Still have about 2-3 an hour that will last sporadically throughout the day.

What I miss?  Being able to work out, sleeping on my stomach/back.

What I am looking forward to?  We have our childbirth class tonight and tomorrow which should be interesting.  This past weekend my parents came to visit and we were able to get most of the nursery finished up.  Did tons of laundry and now the cutest little Newborn and 0-3mo onsies are sitting in our dresser.  Love it!!

Next appt:  Tues Feb 22nd.  It’s an ultrasound appt – LOVE THOSE!!

**Updated on the Glucose Test – I passed!!!  YAY!!!  But like I said I did find out I’m anemic but hopefully thanks to some powerful iron pills we are getting that under control.  I no longer feel like I want to stick my head in a bowl full of ice chips so that’s good.

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28 WEEKS

How far along are you? 28 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  27 pounds

How big are the babies?  2 lbs 2oz and 2 lbs 3 oz (as of Jan 12)

Maternity Clothes?  Most definitely.  I need to go shopping again for what I am hoping is one last set of maternity clothes.  I have officially outgrown my 2nd trimester wardrobe.

Sleep:  Starting to get uncomfortable.  I’m up about every 2 1/2 hours to go to the bathroom.  Sometimes I wish I could record myself stumbling my way there.  I’m sure it’s a sight. haha!

Food Cravings:  Still anything cold and/or fruity.  Ice cream, fro yo, ice chips, popsicles, fruit.  The colder the better.

Food Aversions:  No aversions but I am changing up what I eat slightly due to heartburn.

Movement?  All the time, especially after I eat.  I think it’s so funny when I talk to them and give them a multiple choice question and they kick back.  ie…..”Should we eat cereal or toast for breakfast?  Give me a kick for cereal, it’s got blueberries.”  I talk to them all the time.

Symptoms:  Terrible heartburn.  I picked up some Zantac per my doctors orders to help with the heartburn.  Crossing fingers it works.

Gender:  We are not finding out.  :)

Belly Button In or Out?  Unfortunately it’s been out for some time.  I hope it goes back.

Labor Signs?  Started having Braxton Hicks contractions last week.  Went in for a NST (non-stress test) and all was good.

What I miss?  Being able to work out.  Lots of rest for this lady lately.

What I am looking forward to?  Brent’s work crew is throwing us a shower this weekend!!  I’m so excited to see everyone!

Next appt:  Tues Feb 22nd.  It’s an ultrasound appt – LOVE THOSE!!  I had my glucose test yesterday.  The drink wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.  Kind of a like a syrupy melted orange popsicle.  Now we wait for the results.

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I am adding a section to the blog called ‘Bites of Life’.  This page will host a more personal view of my life outside the kitchen.  There were so many times last summer that I wanted to share pictures with you guys but resisted because it didn’t “flow” with food.  Well, now that we have 2 little ones on the way, I have a feeling there will be many more tidbits to share and fun stories to tell.   Back in October I announced that we are expecting twins and I have been meaning to post some pictures of the growing belly.  It seems like ever since Christmas, each week I double in size.  Keep growing babies!!

Hope you guys enjoy the new section!!

26 WEEKS

How far along are you?  26 weeks (27 week on Monday)

Total Weight Gain:  24 pounds

How big are the babies?  2 lbs 2oz and 2 lbs 3 oz (as of Jan 12)

Maternity Clothes?  Most definitely.  I live in leggings and yoga pants when I can.

Sleep:  Getting increasingly difficult to get comfortable.

Food Cravings:  Still anything cold and/or fruity.  Ice cream, fro yo, ice chips, popsicles, fruit.  The colder the better.

Food Aversions:  No aversions but I am changing up what I eat slightly due to heartburn.  I really miss tomatoes!

Movement?  Tons!  At the last ultrasound we found out that both feet are up by my ribs on the right side.  They are constantly kicking each other and playing.  Atleast I like to think they are playing and not fighting already.  So cute!  They are most active after I eat.

Symptoms:  Terrible heartburn

Gender:  We are not finding out.  :)

Belly Button In or Out?  Unfortunately it’s been out for some time.  I hope it goes back.

Labor Signs?  None yet.  I keep telling them to make themselves comfy because they have a ways to go.  Hopefully not having labor signs yet means they are listening.

What I miss?  Sleeping on my stomach.

What I am looking forward to?  This weekend I have two friends coming down to visit!  Can’t wait!!

Next appt:  Tues Jan 24th.  It’s the dreaded 1 hr glucose test.  Fingers crossed I pass, but I’m not feeling very hopeful.