Sweet Tea, Decaf Style

All throughout my pregnancy so far, all I have been drinking is water. That's a good thing, but sometimes I just crave something a little sweet. Juice isn't agreeing with me while I have morning sickness and I crave sweet tea... not real cravings, but I just really miss it.

Someone recently suggested I make my own sweet tea, decaf style. So, I headed off to the supermarket with my grocery list, with decaf tea bags added to the list. Yesterday I made a large jar of yummy sweet tea. It's not as sweet as I'd like it, but I figured it would be best to not have like 8 cups of sugar or something. ;) haha. I don't really know if they put 8 cups in the amount I made. I'm just saying, lots of sugar is yummy in freshly brewed tea!

I only had that one small glass, and to be honest, I fell asleep before I even finished it. It was mostly ice too, but tasty that sweet flavor made me smile!
Do you have a favorite drink?

141. sweet tea again!
142. watching Jimmy run around like a crazy little guy, making funny sounds... makes my morning
143. a husband that can still smile, even though he has something ahead of him at work he's not looking forward to

A Saved Life

My computer has been acting up something awful these days. Last night, Mono spent a really long time helping me get it back to good health. He is really good at that. He saved my our lives... mine and my computer's. I thought I was going to have to take it to the doctor (aka. Mac store), but after his TLC, it's in perfect condition, and much more orderly! I guess I had let things get a little out of hand.

Now my bookmarks/folder are all sorted and in alphabetical order and better than ever.

The speed is back to normal.

Everything is perfect and I am so happy to be able to get things done in a timely fashion, rather than waiting forever things to just function.

Thank you Mono!

I haven't spent much of any time online or on the computer today, just two little conversations; one with Mami and the other, my sister-in-law. The rest of the morning I have been going through tons and tons of old paperwork and odds and ends. I guess my computer isn't the only thing being gone through and organized.

Mono and I were going to go see a movie tonight (hello $5 movies on Tuesday nights!), but we are going to have to postpone that to another time because of my splitting headache. Thankfully he is very understanding. But, not everything is being postponed this evening. I'm still making a nice steak dinner. I am praying this cut of meat is good and I grill it nicely. I'm still debating the sides, but I think it will just be simple.

Tomorrow my parents are coming to visit and we are going to spend some time outside discussing our possible new gardens. Last summer when we bought our house, we worked in the gardens, just cleaning them up, but we didn't do anything to make them look pretty. There are bushes that need to be ripped out and places that are desperately wanting to be homes to pretty flowering plants! My Dad is very good when it comes to landscaping and I can't wait to finally sit down and work out a plan... at least the start of one.

I have a long list of things I want and need to get done today, including some time to be creative. I have not been using any creativity lately and if I can get everything that needs to be done, I'd like to paint a little bit. I'll have to see if that fits into my day, or has to be worked into another one. But so far, my list is shrinking nicely! Back to work!

And on a random note... I'm craving the huge, fresh salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays... not sure where it came from, but the constant commercials are not helping the situation here.

138. a working computer

139. getting things accomplished 

140. sunny days

Big Stretch!

Mondays don't always seem to be my favorite day out of the week. And I don't think I am the only one that feels that way. But every three-four weeks, I don't mind waking up extra early to get to the doctor. Since my appointments are early, Mono is able to come with me, which I really like.

Being that we are having twins, at each visit, they do an ultra sound so they can check both heart beats clearly. I love getting to see the sweet babes.

The past two ultrasounds they still hadn't developed their baby shape, but today, you could definitely see them... head, body, arms and legs! They were so cute. Really tired though. The nurse was trying to get them to wake up and one of them was a sound sleeper (must be like their Dad) and the other woke up, made a big stretch with it's arm and curled back up to go to sleep (more like me- lighter sleeper).

Their heartbeats were both very strong and they are growing nicely.

Love that they are healthy, growing babies!

The doctor was pleased with everything she saw.

Oh, and I've gained 4lbs since my last visit!

I guess the bump is a little more than just bloating. hehe

 Hi Everyone!

135. baby one

136. baby two

137. seeing baby one make a big stretch!

What's In The Oven Tonight

A month or so ago, I was talking to one of my sisters and she was telling me what she cooked for dinner. They are always eating something insanely yummy and I don't know how they do it! And of course they are always all, "Oh, we're just having blah blah blah" and I think to myself "Just? That sounds heavenly!"

As of last night, I was going to take out some steaks for us to have a nice dinner tonight. Of course I forgot. I had asked Mono to remind me to take it out for dinner tonight, but he thought I meant to take it out today, rather than last night. So then it was too late to take them out this morning, have them defrost and have enough time to soak in yummy marinade.

Of course since I messed up my plan, this made a huge question mark hover over the thought of what dinner tonight would be. Immediately, I thought of Irm's dinner. Now, the night that she told me what she made, she never gave me the real specifics. She was just randomly telling me about dinner. So I didn't really know how to make tonight's dinner idea. I couldn't get in touch with her, so I couldn't double check what she did. And knowing it had to cook in the oven for a while, I had to get it going, whether I was doing it right or not. 

Just so you know, I know I did not do it right. But I am hoping that even  with what I did make, it tastes yummy. Or at least that I didn't poison us. Just kidding, it won't be that bad. I'm not an awful cook.

While it is in the oven, I went outside to check on Mono, who was out there setting something up, and I smelled one of our neighbors' dinner... some deliciously smelling barbecue. They had something on the grill and it tickled my nose! Yummmm. I said loud enough for which ever of our neighbors' dinner it is, "Oh Mono, smell that grilling! Someone's having a tasty dinner!" Stupid me. Of course I was loud enough for them to hear me. If I could smell it so strong, they could hear me being so loud. Our neighbors all probably think we are weirdos here.

So, now I am back inside and my dinner is cooking in the oven. I'm not really sure how long it should be in there for... but whenever I think it is done, we will eat and I will finish this post to update you on it's hopeful deliciousness!

Okay folks, dinner has been consumed!

Honestly, it wasn't as good as I hoped it would turn out.

I didn't season it enough and even though it was cooking for a really long time, the thinly slices potatoes were just not quite cooked enough. Once a little salt was added, it wasn't that bad at all. Next time, it will have more seasoning and more oven time and then I think it will be just perfectly tasty!

So you know what I made...

Thinly sliced potatoes, seasoned ground beef, a concoction of eggs, half and half and sour cream poured over all of it... The potatoes and beef was layered. I don't know what I was doing, but I will try it again... and eat the left overs.

132. sisters that really know how to cook

133. an evening where I feel decent enough to cook a nice dinner

134. a husband that is very loving and understanding when first tries on meals don't turn out like I had hoped

Pregnancy Update

March 2nd. 

I am almost at 12 weeks! 

Honestly, the first few weeks of being pregnant and not feeling well, I felt like it was going to be an eternity and I'd never get through feeling so sick all the time. 

But now, after knowing I have been pregnant for almost seven weeks, and have been sick everyday, I can say that I know I will survive this and I am able to handle it... a little bit more gracefully. 

I must admit. I was a bit naive about morning sickness. I thought you got sick in the morning and then the rest of the day was okay. ha! My days are just okay. I can function, but I'm normally home on the couch because I just feel so blah. I don't have it in me to do a lot, even at home. I get my daily duties done, but even those sometimes get behind when I just rest all day. Some days are better than others, and on those good days, I enjoy getting out, getting things done...

My evenings are not so enjoyable. It usually hits right around or after dinnertime. Sometimes though, I am able to last longer and enjoy my night a little bit more.

But then, the vitamins come in.

They are the most dreadful things in the entire world... all three pills.

It has gotten to the point that I can't take those anymore. I went to the store and found the best they had in a one pill form. I found one... a huge horse pill one, but it is still just one.

Vitamins just do not agree with me... and that is all I will say to keep it a bit pleasant.

Yesterday, I couldn't take it. I just knew it wouldn't stay in me.

But then I decided to try taking it first thing this morning after my first breakfast.

And that was an hour ago!

Thank You Lord! 

Hopefully this is the start of things look up for me.

So, enough about that. Let me tell you a few more little things.

About a week ago, I started to develop a slight baby bump.

Here is a picture of the before and after.

The picture on the left was from Aruba. It was the last picture from our trip. I wanted one more picture and Mono wasn't around so I snapped one of myself in my favorite dress.

That is what I still looked like before I got pregnant.

And now, the right side, is me with the bump. 

(excuse my tired look and messy hair)

 

So, there's a baby bump beginning.

It's the first time I don't mind my pants being tight.

Actually, I mind them being tight more, but not for the same reasons. Now it is just because it's uncomfortable. When Mami was here, she and Mono took me shopping and they each bought me some clothes and yesterday I found a second pair of pants. 

So I am good to go for now in my comfy pants and shirts!

I wish all clothes were so comfortable to wear!

I have no cravings yet, though I really miss a few things.

I've cut out all caffeine, which means no chocolate milk, no sweet tea, no cafe con leche...

I've heard so many things regarding caffeine and chocolate.

Some people say it is okay to have a little bit of caffeine, some say chocolate is okay.

I'm confused and I miss my chocolate milk.

And my sweet tea.

I'm going to ask my doctor if I can make my own decaff sweet tea and just have it every so often.

We'll see.

But no actual cravings.

I do have real aversions to smells and certain food though.

One strange thing, I cannot smell the dishwasher detergent. 

I rinse and load the dishes, leave the room and then Mono can squirt in the soap and start it for me.

Ugh. It makes me feel awful.

I am getting more headaches again though. I used to get headaches every single day. But then I got pregnant, and I've only had one or two. But now, this is day 4 of having a bad headache. Blah.

I miss running. I think once my morning sickness passes (and hopefully it will and soon!), I might get on the treadmill, and do some nice walking. I need my exercise and I need to get back on the treadmill, even though I can't run.

I also miss wearing nail polish.

People told me my hair might start falling out some. It's not and actually, my hair (when I actually do it and don't just leave the just woke up look all day) is looking pretty good.

We're going to find out what we are having, but that's not for another six weeks or so.

My next appointment and their next picture comes on Monday! I can't wait to see them and how they've grown! Hopefully they're lookin' good for Momma!

We have their cribs already. One is even set up. The other is going to go in our room in the beginning so we didn't want to set that up yet. When things get a little closer.

My really dear friend, who is the babes' fairy godmother, just ran a half marathon in Disney and on her run, she actually stopped when she saw Cinderella's fairy godmother to get a picture of them together. I must say, my babes' fairy godmother is better looking and in much better shape!!

I had thought about training and running a half marathon this coming weekend. I am really glad I didn't get the opportunity to sign up. They filled up too soon.

I would have never been able to train during morning sickness and running that much just wouldn't have been good right now.

But, it is still a huge goal in my life.

I am hoping after the twins are born, and I am allowed to really exercise again, I want to start working my way to being able to run a long distance like that, and maybe, I will be able to sign up for a half. Maybe.

So there you go. My update for the day. As things happen and change, I'll let you know.

Today it is in the forecast for some pretty bad weather. I am sitting on my couch, looking out in the backyard watching the sky get darker, the trees sway harder and I just brace myself for the sirens to go off. 

Please God it doesn't get bad... here or at my parents.

127. learning to cope with morning sickness

128. one vitamin

129. the sweetness of baby cribs

130. memories of Aruba 

131. Jilly's picture of her with the fairy godmother

Couch Company

While I've been dealing with morning sickness, I spend most of my day on the couch. It gets old quickly. It's boring and lonely. But for the past week, I had company on the couch. Mami came for a visit and it was so enjoyable. Unfortunately, with me not feeling well, we couldn't do too much, but we enjoyed our couch time. She sat on one end, embroidering (she's working on a gorgeous white on white - with silk and linen - project!!) and I sat on the other, just resting, watching tv, on the internet… All while we both chatted. She was able to spend time working on her embroidery that she doesn't have while at home and I had lovely company, which is not normal to my days.

When people come to visit, I love to bake things to have for breakfast, serve them on nice dishes, have everything all nice and cook tasty dinners. Well, this time, I didn't do any of it. And it was eating me up inside. I really don't like the feeling of not loving on the people visiting, especially when it is Mami. I am really hoping that my morning sickness is completely gone for her next visit. And if not, I am going to have to slowly prepare things in advance so I don't have this awful I didn't take care of her feeling.

We did have such a great time with Mami here. We went out for fun meals... some breakfast, and a few for lunch and then a couple dinners. We went baby shopping, for cribs and registries. We hung out and spent time at the house. No matter what we do, just having her around is enjoyable and comforting. I miss her already and am counting down for her next trip.

124. visits with Mami

125. yummy pancakes

126. loving on others when they are visiting

It's Been a While

People have told me that when you are pregnant, out goes your mind.

Can I ask, if that is true, what happens when you are having twins?

I think every last bit of my brain is gone.

Hopefully that means these two little ones are using my smarts and soaking them up so when they arrive, their brains are wonderful!

With that being said, I haven't been very with it to be able to blog much.

My days are relatively all the same.

Wake up, eat, sit on the couch, eat, eat, do one or two little things, eat, couch, eat....

So, I don't have much to write about.

You don't want to hear about my all day sickness, or the little bland and tasteless snacks I eat, or the few chores I get done.

My parents spent a few days visiting and helping out with little projects, which was really nice.

We also went baby shopping, just to look at a few things to get ideas of what we want. 

We found a crib, stroller and diaper bag. Didn't buy them yet, but picked them out.

When our Mami comes for her visit, I think we are going to make a day out of baby shopping and walking through the aisles picking things out...maybe starting a registry.

Thank God my best friend just had a baby in October. She has been the biggest help with knowing what to look for, what to avoid, what works and what doesn't work.

We live hundreds of miles apart, but I send long, detailed e-mails so she knows all that is going on and can be a part of it. haha. Lucky her.

Tomorrow I go back to the doctor for my second appointment. The babies will make their second appearance! It will be a less shocking appearance, unless like my uncle jokes, there is really a third one in there. Oiye!

Tomorrow I plan on cooking a real meal. Pot roast, mashed potatoes and a veggie. 

I am so excited to have time in the kitchen and have the result be a truly nice meal.

Well that is my plan anyway.

As long as I feel okay after my appointment, I'll prepare everything and get it cooking.

Low and slow.

It will be my first pot roast I've made on my own. We shall see how it turns out.

If it doesn't turn out right, I will just happily blame it on my pregnancy brain. 

Just kidding. I try not to use that as a big excuse for things.

I went to see a movie with Mono tonight. The Vow.

It's funny how a girl and a guy come out of that movie thinking two completely different things!

I loved seeing the husband's love for his wife.

I would have changed a few parts, but overall, I liked the storyline.

So, not much else to say. I just wanted to make sure you all knew I didn't fall completely off the face of the earth.

Sorry this is a really boring post! Hopefully I will have more exciting things to start posting about.