Ava

This is little Miss Ava... her hope is to be the best big sister ever. I'm sure she will be.  If I had to pick anyone to be my sister, it would be her - no doubt. She is bossy but adorable; smart but not a know-it-all; talkative but far from irritating; beautiful but kind; sweet, sassy, and fun! She's ours and we are proud of her!

Gripes

Things that have bothered me since I have become pregnant with twins: 

• You are going to get big, so I'd eat everything I ever wanted and never exercise... Me: Actually I am in charge of a huge job. I have 3 hearts to care for, so exercise and proper eating are extremely important! It is all about being a good mom.  I could go on... but I plan on saving that for a blog, in a bit!
•  Have you picked a due date? Me: No! I am against elective c-section. The babies will come when they are ready... or medical intervention will necessitate a delivery date. 
• Do twins run in your family? Me: Do I have to answer this one? They do now... 
• You are getting huge! Me: Gee thanks, so are you.

• or

• You aren't nearly as big, as I thought you'd be... Me: Is that a compliment?
• Are they identical? Me: I'm having a boy and a girl... Other Person: Yes, but are they identical?  Me: NO!!!! Boys and girls cannot be identical!

• You are going to be busy/never sleep again/double trouble/I hope these are your last... and countless other cruel things like that. 
• Did you take something to conceive twins? Me:First of all that is none of your business, but no I didn't... multiples are miracles either way.  Think about this hurtful question before you ever ask a mother. 
• What is it like to carry two babies?  Me: Well, it is like 1 baby multiplied in your belly. It is like you are carrying two at a time! (This question doesn't bother me, it's just there is no good answer.)
• Doctors won't let you deliver vaginally... (followed by a scoff and laugh at me). Me: Really? Because I am the one pregnant with twins, I have done my research, and consulted with doctors.  I know they will. 
•  Are you buying a bigger house, car, getting a different job, how will you afford... etc? Me: Let's see what else stressful could you ask me...
• Are you excited? Me: WTF? Of course we are! 
• Ava is going to be so jealous... Me: No, she won't. We will work our best at providing a fair home full of love for all of our children.  Will she have days of jealousy, sure... but will she regret her siblings, never.  She will love them, and already does! 
•  Glad it's not me... Me: Me too. 
• How are you going to do it? Me: Well, I was planning on giving one to a lucky couple, and keeping the other... WHAT? This question is stupid.  We will be the best parents we can be to all three of our children, duh! We love them all, and will do what we have to do to make it work. We are blessed with out lives... Very blessed! 
• You shouldn't exercise, drink tea, work too hard, stand for long periods of time, carry Ava, walk your dogs, etc. Me: I know, I shouldn't drink tea. But as for the rest, I know my body... I know my limits.  At week 32 of this pregnancy I know when to take breaks.  I am taking good care of my babies, and I appreciate positive support. Not unsolicited advice! :) 
• Will your husband help you? No, he didn't want more children. I did this on purpose. Of course he will help, he's a great Daddy! 
•  Do you seriously plan on breastfeeding them? Me: Why would I make it up? 
• Your belly is hardly tight, it is still loose. Me: Thanks, my skin is stretched so tight I can't breathe, but I am happy you think I am Jolly Saint Nick. 
• You look great for someone having twins... Me: Would I look bad if I was having one? Also, how many people do you personally know who are having twins? Who are you comparing me too? Personally, I have known very few women pregnant with multiples and they, like singleton Mommies, have ranges of growth/problems/lack of weight gain/massive weight gain/etc. It is a roll of the dice people! (Also, I take pretty good care of myself)
• They will be premature or they might have disabilities... Me: Thank you for the positive thoughts, we appreciate it. But to let you know, if they have any problems though, they are in the right home... believe it! 

I want to say there have been a number of fabulous supporters in my life, though. That must be mentioned:  

My husband has been great. He tells me it must be tough because, I am full of Bumgarners! He lets me rest, helps with household tasks, and listens to my gripes. He loves me, even though I have been a mess. 
My mother, my best friend, has done a tremendously supportive job.  But I knew she would.  She is more excited than anyone I know! We joke that she will say in the delivery room, "Move out of the way Dr. Kirk, I'll deliver these babies!" (I'm surprised she didn't do that when Ava was born).  The things I thought that were perfection in my mother, as I was growing up, are things I see every time she nears my daughter.  She is the perfect, positive, most beautiful person in the world. I know she will be even more perfect when Elle and Easton are here too!  Of course my father is great too, but he usually says "Dear God!" when he sees my belly.  He is excited to have more grandbabies, and I can tell he is proud.  He makes me happy - even if he is appalled by my girth!
My clinical team at work, has been the best I could ask for.  They stay positive, laugh, cry, and share stories with me.  They carry my bags at work, pack me snacks, take on assignments when I am tired, and remind me to put on my "big-girl" red lipstick everyday (because it makes me feel beautiful).
The craziest supporters are my two dogs, Momo and Yoshi.  They take good care of me, keep me sane (well sometimes), and love me unconditionally. I need that right now! 
Also, I thank my inlaws, additional family, close friends, and facebook followers for being there as needed... I know you guys have enjoyed hearing my gripes! Haha
I have had amazing support from my nurses and my health coach... 
Just a few more weeks SO all of my supporters better stay supportive!

Brief Note About Us

Hi! My name is Carly and I wanted to start a blog to share all of the wonders of being a wife and a mom.  I met my husband Terrence, on a blind date on February 14th, 2002. I fell down a hill, he laughed, I laughed... we got married exactly 5 years later.  He's my soul mate.  Terrence and I knew we wanted a family and started by getting two colossal Yorkshire Terriers.  Momo came first, then we bought a house.  Momo experienced some terrible separation anxiety in the new home, so we bought him a dog named Yoshi.  Over the next year, the dogs learned the rules and became our best friends, our sons, and our little protectors.  Momo is always by my side, even nearly 5 years later, and he is helping me type right now! Yoshi loves Daddy, but he is sitting on a pillow looking at me, at present. In early 2008, we decided we wanted children.  We tried for six months, and became pregnant! On July 1st, 2009 Ava was born. Ava became the best thing that ever happened to me, it is amazing how your real true self comes to be when your children are born.  She changed my life... I started running (more), eating better, and reflecting everyday.  On her second birthday, we made the decision that would make our very rich lives even more rich... we wanted to have another baby... We started trying in early August. I became pregnant that same month and 8 weeks later (early October 2011) we found out we were expecting twins.