This Blog Has Been Moved!

From now on, please find us over at http://all4theadventure.wordpress.com/

Zach's Gear Room No More

Remember this room? I do, vaugely. Zach remembers it more clearly, because he kind of misses it. I can't blame him.

But what's to miss when you think about all the fun that's bound to happen in this room? (The gear isn't gone... it's just been relocated to the garage)

Like the $25 Craigslist dresser? And yes, it was already painted this color. It's not perfect, but it will do the job, and it fits nicely into the closet.

I am lucky enough that someone in my family has a vinyl cutter and they let me steal it for a few weeks to get something done.

The simple art in the center is vinyl over spray painted canvas - I saw this idea at Craft Warehouse and it just doesn't get any easier this!

A $3 cardboard letter covered in robot scrapbook paper. It's "reversible" because I just couldn't decide which paper to use.

It took some creative rearranging to fit two cribs, a large changing table, dresser, rocking chair and either two bouncies seats or two swings... We hope this works!

A Quick Update

The twins' room is getting close to being ready...it's not totally decorated, but the cribs and changing table are put together. I'll be sure to post pictures when it is finished! It's amazing how much stuff can fit into a small room when organized and arranged with some thought.

We still can't agree on middle names. And be "we" I mean "me." Max and Miles will for sure be their first names. (Unless the ultrasound techs have all made a terrible mistake but I highly doubt that.)

We got a Canon SLR camera that also takes 1080p video, but we both have to learn how to use it. It's a little intimidating, but yet exciting because we've been wanting an SLR for a long time.

We had a Baby "Celebration" (not a baby shower since guys don't do baby showers haha) with the Adams' family and several friends. Almost every single person invited was there... all the support really made us realize (again) how wonderful our family and friends are.

Zach has officially taken over the housework. I can't do the dishes because my belly is in the way, and I feel like sweeping/mopping/vacuuming is enough to send me into cardiac arrest. Our house is pretty clean and organized because Zach has just the perfect amount of OCD. We both know this. I'm not complaining about it either.

I had no idea this pregnancy would require such patience. I'm only 31 weeks, and I have to be honest... it's very frustrating at times, especially when I don't want to ask for or accept any help. But my pride is on it's way out the door, and I'm sure by the end there will be none left. Zach is being a good sport about taking on the extra responsibility.

I'm having plenty of contractions but our doctor isn't too concerned about it at this point. On Monday, they did some monitoring at Labor & Delivery and I was contracting every 5 minutes, but because I'm not "progressing" too much, seriously our doctor didn't even bat an eye. I'm learning that with a twin pregnancy, all symptoms and issues are considered "normal", so alot of times I don't even bother to ask. Unless Miles decides to flip into a better position soon, it looks like this will probably be a c-section delivery. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I will do whatever is required to bring this into world safely. I've never had surgery in my life!

We are so anxious to meet our little guys but know it's important they continue to bake as long as possible. Physically, I feel ready for their arrival, but mentally...not so much. Neither of us feel prepared for parenthood, but we keep telling ourselves that this is just part of the adventure!!

And... they still are boys :)

Today was yet another ultrasound. August 10th was THE big day for a long time... when we would find out the twins' genders. But because we found out 10 days ago, I actually was able to sleep last night. So that was nice. A few things we learned today: they have gained a couple of ounces each in just 10 days. They are currently estimated at 9 and 10 ounces. And they are wiggle-iest little buggers ever with their twistin' and turnin' and trying to punch each other in the face. The brotherly love is starting early. I think this little guy has his dukes up... or maybe he's sucking his thumb. Zach says Adams' boys don't suck their thumbs so we'll assume this first picture is his fighting stance.























On another note, Blogger sucks and makes it ridiculously hard to post photos. I was gonna post some different ones but that just got postponed until a later date until my pregnant lady hormones have time to cool down a few degrees.

Oh Boy(s)!!!

An impromptu ultrasound yesterday revealed the genders of our twins. Zach is on Cloud 9 and isn't coming down from there anytime soon... because we are having BOYS!! They were both cooperative for the tech and opened their legs nicely. They are 100% undeniably boys... and below is the proof. (this is the only time I will want to show my children's private parts, or be happy that their legs are wide open LOL!)


Baby A:



















Baby B:

Why Craigslist Rules

Finding parents of twins via Craigslist is pretty much just awesome:

Two Fisher Price bouncers in pretty much perfect condition (with batteries) for $15 each. I just realized these are still sold at Target. I washed the covers and I seriously would not be able to tell that these aren't brand new.


































2 Boppy brand swings for $20 each. (I know, bad picture) And these are still sold at Babies 'R Us. Of course I washed these covers too and they are in amazing condition. Between these two sets, buying used saved us about $125, plus we got a ton of free batteries!

This is going to be fun!

I could have a heart-attack from the potential cute-ness!

Observations from a Never-Before Pregnant Person

• Morning sickness is a lie. It is in no way restricted to the morning. Mine arrives promptly at 4pm and lasts until late at night. There are a number of extra nausea-inducing factors that make absolutely no sense. For me, it's the sight or smell of peanut butter, taking a hot shower, having my hands in hot water, or drinking warm water. The best remedy I have found for nausea is simply to get fresh air. Even better if there's a breeze.

• The food groups get rearranged to your satisfaction. Mine are the String Cheese Group, the Cottage Cheese Group, the Toast Group, and The Milk Group. There was an Egg Group but I'm over that now. Before we even had a positive pregnancy test, I would have bet a $100 bill we were expecting, due to the fact I demanded eggs on toast for breakfast for 7 mornings straight. Weird.
  
  
• Hungry feels different now than before pregnancy. If I were to wait for that old familar feeling of hungry, I would starve to death!

• Garage sales, Craigslist and consignment stores quickly prove to be invaluable. A baby bathtub in perfect condition for $2? Sold. $50 for a gently used double stroller base that works with any two infant car seats, and it's so wildy popular you can't find one that's not back-ordered? Totally sold!

• After seeing how much baby stuff costs, being crafty and more resourceful suddenly has it's appeal. Like making two matching crib bedding sets, rather than buying them. The only style of bedding I liked would cost $300 per set! (haha like $600 on bedding is even an option) Re-learning to sew with the help of my crafty mom can produce a similar result for $500 less, plus I have extra fabric for other fun projects - curtains, pillows, cute little mobiles, boppies, etc...

The plan is to make 2 blankets using a similar pattern/layout, but with our own gender neutral fabric. We'll do similar bumpers, but not quite so full and puffy.

• A startling observation regarding diapers... I was never good at math, but I can do basic calculations. It's been said that newborns and infants can use upwards of 10 diapers a day. 10 diapers a day x 30 days = 300 diapers, x 2 babies = a whopping 600 diapers a month! For this reason Zach and I are accepting any Huggies or Pampers coupons you may want to send our direction. Coupons combined with sales and promotions have served us well so far.

{Pretend there is a photo here showing a mountain of Huggies and Pampers overtaking the Gear Room. I could have taken one but lack the energy required for such a photo. This one will have to do instead.}

Each package in this (imaginary) pile was either 66% off or 75% off, and we have around 1300 diapers total. That sounds great and all, until you realize that's just over a 2 month supply. I am just crossing my fingers there will be more diaper sales and it's not a seasonal thing of the past. Oh, and we got 31 boxes of Pampers wipes for the price of tax. :)

Our Ultrasound Story

Our first ultrasound experience went something like this:

We arrive at the doctor's office. There's some paperwork. We're excited to see our baby for the first time.

Belly lube time. I lay down on a reclined chair (much like at the dentist) and Zach sits beside me. A BSU intern goops up my belly with lube. I thought it would be freezing, but to my surprise, it was a decent temperature. A supervising ultrasound tech is also there in the room.

The BSU intern puts the instrument on my belly and Zach and I see something like this on the screen:

Me thinking to myself: Wow, that looks like TWO babies! (But I don't dare utter word because really what do I know and how stupid will I sound when I'm totally wrong)

Zach stands up and blurts out: Is that TWINS??

Ultrasound Tech: Well, I wasn't going to say it quite like this, but yes, that's twins!

Our jaws instantly hit the floor.

Ultrasound Tech to BSU intern: I should take over... would you mind stepping aside?

At this point, I have no recollection what the dialog was like, but I can tell you my thought process went something along these lines: panic, terror, can't breathe, light-headed, breathe in Rochelle.... now breathe out Rochelle, I see Zach's jaw still on the floor, he's speechless, I'm speechless, I try not to tear up but I'm going to anyway, Zach stabilizes himself against me because he's still standing and his legs are weak and I'm thankful to still be laying down. Wow, that's why I felt so INSANELY TIRED. I knew that wasn't normal, no matter the repeated "It's normal to be tired in the first trimester". Taking 3-4 naps a day in NOT normal, and don't care who says it is. Wow, that's why I'm showing more than I expected to be. How the heck are we going to handle TWO babies?? This is a mistake. Or a joke. Nope, there's still two little squirmy beans in two black compartments on the screen...

Zach is now vigorously rubbing my arm to either calm me down or himself down. Probably both.

The Ultrasound tech is poking and prodding, probably checking for a third baby. (although this was an afterthought, thank goodness) She's narrating what she's doing/seeing/discovering and I only pick up fragments of what she's saying. I hear things like "fraternal twins", "two placentas", and "nice dividing wall between the two babies". Zach must have recovered a little by now because he dubs it the Great Wall of China. That's funny to me, but I don't think I laugh. They take screenshot photos, labeling each one with "Baby A" and "Baby B". They are burnt on a CD for us to take home. I'm still in shock.

They call a doctor into the room. (not ours, but a different one) I think they called him in to "ease or minds" or something. It didn't work. I think he expected us to have a million questions, but he mostly just got two blank stares since we were both processing. We leave, with feelings of fear, nervousness, disbelief and excitement. We just looked at each other and laughed. I ask him what on earth he did this to me for. (Later I find out I am the responsible one, not him - in this scenario, twins came from my side of the family) We get in the car, and on the way home we call our parents. They were expecting the phone calls, just not the news of twins. Their reactions were truly priceless!! Donita thought Zach was pulling a prank and refused to believe there were twins unless she saw ultrasound pictures as proof! Hilarious!! My mom couldn't stop laughing and kept saying "This is going to be so much fun!!"

Now almost two weeks later, we feel a bit more grounded. (minus one late night meltdown on my part) We know this is not someone's sense of humor, nor a mistake... but a blessing, and have come to the conclusion that we wouldn't be given twins if we couldn't handle the challenge. It will surely be a different type of adventure than what we're used to! Zach is excited for my belly to grow to grand proportions but I'm dreading the idea of wearing maternity clothes. Zach's approach is to have fun now while we still can, but my approach is let's start preparing NOW. We are finding the balance!

Thanks to all of you for your excitement and support. Hearing your enthusiasm really makes it more special and more exciting for us! We will be sure to update you all in August when we find out if we are having two boys, two girls, or a girl and a boy!

Yes we are guilty

Forgive us Blogger, for we have sinned. It's only been, like, 11 months or so since we last posted. Had to post something before a whole YEAR passes. At least we know we suck. We could make up excuses for our blog slacking and give you a lengthy list of "whys" but we'd rather spare you. No worries though, we still have been stalking you on your blogs to remain updated. Now for a quick update on us... We've been climbing lately as the weather has warmed up. Had several days last week at City of Rocks, and hopefully we'll make it to Joshua Tree next week. If that happens, we'll be stoked about the nice southern California weather! Work is going well for both of us... for Zach, well, it's good because he still has a solid job {happy happy faces} and for Rochelle things are busy. Nothing too exciting is going on so we'll call this a wrap. Wouldn't want to get ahead of ourselves after 11 months of not blogging! :)