nesting

The nesting instinct is the name given to the

distinctive urge to clean, tidy, and organize that occurs during pregnancy.

Yep, I have that.

I feel like I've been in the "nesting" mode since the baby shower ... possibly even before that. However, I'm sure much of my preparations are also due to being jobless and having a new house.

I wanted to be mostly ready for their arrival when I reached 34 weeks gestation. From what I've heard and read, it's common for expectant mothers of twins to land in that category of going into pre-term labor. I didn't want to have this happen to me and not be able to give my newborns undivided attention because I was still worrying about this&that around the house. So I got a jumpstart on things! And fortunately, I've been rather capable and self-sufficient with this pregnancy (until recently) so I didn't see any reason to not use my health and strength for "nesting." Also, both my mom and Lora have been a great help with getting everything ready around here! :)

I say "until recently" because I've finally stopped driving myself around, like to the grocery store and my weekly doctor's appointments. I've decided why take the chance? I don't want to be out and about and alone if something starts happening. Which should be any day now.

How long have I been saying that? Way too long. I started that mindset at 34 weeks for the reasons mentioned above, and now it's a month later and I'm getting very impatient and extremely anxious to meet them! I'm not the only one around here feeling it ... there have been several nights where both Nate & I seem rather "off" in our moods. There was one night recently where I just blurted out, a bit whiney and frustrated, "I wish they were here already." Nate lit up when he looked at me and agreed, "Yeah me too. I think that's why I've been in a bad mood all day... because they're not here yet!!" But not to give the impression that we've been spending our last few days as just the two of us all depressed and upset. Yes, we're anxious to meet them, but we've also been enjoying our time together to its fullest!

We've been really glad for his work schedule now which allows us to spend every evening together. This was not the case for our first 4 years of marriage. Between opposite work schedules and college classes, we'd see each other a little bit throughout the hectic week but mainly just on the weekends. Then even on the weekends, we'd often be busy with traveling or getting together with friends and family. It wasn't until this past June that we finally got to settle into what some would consider to be "a normal lifestyle."

Now we can have mid-week dates, like last night for example. I'm new to groupon-ing, so we tried out our first groupon to see how it all works. Turns out it works well and we really did get $20 off our check! We used it at this neat little restaurant downtown Des Moines in celebration of Nate's birthday. Questionable-looking place = very unique and delicious food. If anyone ever offers you a ham and bacon egg roll, accept it. It will be an amazing life-changing experience through your taste buds.

So It seems I've gotten a little bit off track from the main topic. It's probably because I'm still wired at 11:48 pm like usual and am feeling very chatty! Ahhh pregnancy can be so weird sometimes. Anyways! Back to the main topic because I have more to tell you.

According to the hospital's records, I had reached 38 weeks this past Monday. However, according to my own records, I will be 38 weeks this coming Saturday. The explanation of the 5-day difference is that I messed up the paperwork when I was getting everything switched over from IL to IA. The good thing is that this may work to my advantage! IF I want it to. It's been my doctor's general practice over the years to induce twins at 38 weeks because that is considered to be full-term for twins. Just recently, new guidelines came out stating that an induction is not allowed before 39 weeks unless there are certain complications. This is to reduce the number of unnecessary inductions and to encourage women to allow themselves to go into natural labor. "Twins without complications" is a listed specification that must wait until the 39-week mark. Since I will be 39 weeks this coming Monday, according to the hospital's records, it is my choice to ask to be induced or to schedule a C-section anytime next week. That's if I haven't already gone into spontaneous labor by that point. At my last appointment this past Tuesday, my doctor left me with the words, "keep your fingers crossed," meaning "nothing is happening yet, so let's hope nature takes care of this soon so you won't have to try to decide on what to do." I've been crossing my fingers and toes all week and even stared at the full moon last night for an unprecedented amount of time, but still nothing has happened. Nate came to the conclusion just tonight during supper that they're still in my belly because they're just thoroughly enjoying the food that I eat. This could be ... I have been feeding them many delicious things! I know it's best for the babies that they stay in there as long as possible to continue to develop their lungs, and I'm so thankful that they've been growing so well and have been checking out healthy at every appointment. But seriously, any day now.

We haven't come to a decision about what to do next week. I'm planning on going to yet another appt. next Tues and we will base our decision on what they tell us about how things are or are not progressing at that time.

If they're continuing to grow at the same rate they've been growing, they should measure at about 6 & 1/2 pounds each now. It feels like it too!

So maybe if we all say it together ... "C'mooooon babies!!!!!" :)

getting ready to put in the first load of baby clothes!

never did I enjoy folding clean laundry as much as I did this time

picking out the coordinating newborn outfits for them to wear home from the hospital -

the outfits looked a little big for being newborn, but it seems I'm not growing preemies!

packing the hospital bag

Nate has been doing some "nesting" of his own - practicing up!

we received these jungle-themed wooden block letters as a baby shower gift -

aren't they awesome-looking???

34 weeks ... I guess I shouldn't look so surprised, they've been there for awhile now!

36 weeks - growing and I still have no idea where it's going!

celebrating my 24th birthday at John & Lora's with Lanae, turning 8

my choice from the menu last night:

smoked gouda mac n cheese w/ bacon

my old hubby is now 26! :)

turkey time twenty-twelve

Be thankful for what you have;

you'll end up having more.

If you concentrate on what you don't have,

you will never, ever have enough.

The turkey wasn't the only thing stuffed at Thanksgiving this year. My belly was a big competitor! The boys decided to stay put and let me enjoy one more "peace" of pie this holiday. I always really love this time of year when families come together to spend quality time full of food, fun, and fellowship.

We had the privilege this year of spending Thanksgiving day with all of my immediate family and Nate's immediate family and grandma. John & Lora graciously hosted all of us for a spectacular dinner. We had the whole works: 2 turkeys, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, homemade bread, jello, cranberry, corn, butternut squash, and pies galore. Tell me again, why does this holiday only come once a year??

After dinner, we went around the table and shared what we were thankful for. It was so touching and encouraging to hear what everyone had to say. I was last to share my thoughts due to the sequence of seating, and of course pregnancy hormones had kicked in full swing by that point, so the only way I managed to make it through my little speech was with a box of tissues at hand. Anyways, I'm glad the conversation led me to think about just how much I am truly grateful for: God, family, friends, life, hope, health ... the list is endless.

It was so awesome that my parents, brother, and sister were all able to drive the distance to our place this year so that we could spend the holiday together since I obviously wasn't allowed to travel very far away this time.

So Wednesday was when most of my family arrived, Thursday consisted of the big turkey dinner followed by naps and a game night which included friends in the area (we surprisingly all left still being friends even after playing a few rounds of mafia), Friday was a day of rest and recuperation, then most of the day Saturday was spent at the science museum in Des Moines, and late that evening we all went for a very chilly, windy walk on the bridge. Today brought the dreaded yet inevitable departure of the family. They'll be back soon though since the arrival of our rip-roarin', I mean well-behaved, twins will be any day now!

Thanksgiving Day 2012

Dad and Lora figuring it out

carving the turkey

Chet & I pulling up dad's sleeves so he didn't get any turkey juices on them!

even though it was turkey that they ate, Ryan & Amy still managed to "ham" it up at the end of the table

coloring! :)

Gram surrounded by grandkids happily enjoying their ice cream cones

an ice cream cone in hand and a toy train waiting to be played with ... life is good

so true :)

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science museum pics

Nate & Lara tightly securing their wooden eggs with foam wrapping

for the mighty egg drop test

admiring the "ball wall"

carefully completing his domino chain

and now building a rocket ...

let's just say the "kids" really enjoyed the museum ;)

soon to be 6 of them!

Uncle Eric demonstrating how to hold the green cloth to appear headless on the screen

:)

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bridge pics

the "walk" across the bridge was pretty easy-breezy for me - Chet took pity on the pregnant lady and pushed me in a wheelchair since I didn't feel that I should go into labor on a 13-story high bridge 30 minutes away from the hospital

all bundled up!!

Thanks for stopping by - have a great week! :)

Nate's Post

Hello Everyone,

  I finally got Stacy some fast reliable internet and decided to try it out first.  It downloaded all these pictures in under 10 minutes...So you will see a lot more posts from her in the future!  Sorry it's taken so long!  It's my turn to step in and fill you in on our journey together...that's an understatement!  So are we having twins?  Someone needs to tell me how and when it's going to finally hit me~  Don't get me wrong, we are doing everything we can to get ready for these little buggers, but twins??? Nate and Stacy are having TWINS???? I would have never thunkened it! We find out after the fact that there are actually twins in our family!  I can't count how many people have told us the sleep horrors of having twins and everything that goes along with that stuff.  Yes STUFF! You all are reading this and thinking..."oh you just wait!!!"  Anyway, put that all aside- I can't wait for my two boys to join Stacy and I on a new journey!  It has been so fun getting ready for them to arrive.  It's to the point where I have dreams about what they look like and how they will interact.  But I couldn't have picked a better situation to be in.  Stacy has done unbelievably well during her pregnancy...me? just gained some weight is all! I am finding out that is not unusual!  I'm glad I can join the club.  The house is where I want it to be before the boys come.  We got the smoke smell out, walls painted, baby room decorated, baby things put together, and basement remodeled to where I want it by Thanksgiving! We are excited to have the WHOLE immediate Spencer family for Thanksgiving!!! I wish the twins were already here for the convenience of everyone being here, but I understand their patience.  Well, I need to get ready for the workers coming tomorrow night as well as Rob and Ruth.  Ryan and Amy are coming Wed. night and Eric and Jen are coming Wed. night or Thursday. Stacy said she will blog tomorrow so I will hold her to it.  She has no excuse now!  She has to tell you about her new kittens, baby shower, finishing the baby room, and other things she hasn't touched on! Thanks for checking in on us and have a great week!  -Nate

Kayman is the looking me in the eyes!  He is getting up to 115 lbs @ 8 Months

He decided to destroy the decorative square hay bale we had on the entryway.  The hay is now everywhere!!!

Fits Perfectly!!! Started to install the second one when we noticed all kinds of scratches and scuffs...Thanks to mom, she took it back for an exchange!  

Stacy's birthday present! I might actually use it more- it is on my side of the bed!

I had to do this to make it real!  Stacy freaked out when she looked in the back seat.  

Taking down the ugly border...3 borders to be exact.  What were the previous owners thinking?  One for each season?!

I got grief from mom about this..."What? Its Stacy's platform?!" 

Insulating his doghouse! He doesn't come out now!  

Basement before remodel!  What a mess!!!

Bathroom before remodel!!! Yikes...

Finally after 5 months we have security!  Hung up blinds in the whole house.  Makes a huge difference!

Starting on the framing.

Finishing the framing for the basement utility room, bathroom, extra bedroom, and entertainment center!

Finally Finished

The new basement supported 15 guys for the bonfire get-together!

Stacy working on the Iowa State room...Border finally removed!!!

Mom...I mean, Grandma assisting in painting the Iowa State mud room!  

This is the first of 3 panels of my model that I have been working on.  It will hang down from the ceiling so the boys can look up from their beds and see their favorite safari animals walking to the marsh for some water.  Each animal has  a mom and it's two babies.  There are elephants, african antelope, zebra, water buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, ring-tailed lemurs, gorillas, and the whole cat family.  There are lights that shine up through the model on the animals' faces that the kids will see when it is dark.  The marsh is made up of glass pebbles and lights shine up through them to illuminate the whole marsh at night.  You can see the hippos and crocodile wading nearby.  Hopefully I used enough adhesive and glue so it can be a success!

traveling the U.S. (with medical records along)

Life has been crazy busy for us lately - so much to blog about!! If only the internet would let me... I'm sitting here at Starbucks because I thought I would have a better chance of getting pictures uploaded here with a good internet connection. Turns out it's not much better here than at home.

As the blog post title states, we have been traveling the U.S. Well ok, not the whole country.. it just feels like it. We made a trip to Tennessee and then one to Oklahoma.

At the end of September, we made the 12+ hour road trip to TN for Knoxville convention. It was so nice to get the meetings, see the grounds again (this time during convention), spend time with lots of family, and meet new people. It was also very encouraging to see my parents settled and happy in their new location, even if that means being in a camper for the next few months.

Two weekends after that, we traveled to my brother and sister-in-law's house in OK for Ryker's 5th birthday celebration. They've lived down there for over a year & a half so it was great to finally be able to see their place! We spent Saturday morning with all the animals at the Tulsa zoo and later that evening, Ryker shared his monster cake with eyeballs with all of us.

~ Knoxville pics ~

the 4 cheeses

5 kids looking at an ant hill

the Spencer bunch at Knoxville, TN conv

Grandpa Spencer with ...

2 of his 3 children

5 of his 7 grandchildren

and all 8 (10 if you include the unborn) of his great-grandchildren

only 29 weeks here ... keep them in as long as possible!

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~ Ryker's 5th birthday pics ~

Eric, Jen and ..... uh-oh, looks like 2 zoo animals got out!

Nate bravely going face to face with a ferocious mama cat

looks like Alivia outweighs her daddy!!

Dad making friends with a turtle

Ryker opening his birthday presents
... and Alivia helping him :)

haha LOVE this face :D

playing with an animal matching game

"monster cake with eyeballs"

I must say, eyeballs that taste like cake are pretty good!!

Since it wasn't too far out of our way on the road trip back home, Nate & I decided to stop near Claremore and sneak a peek at the house my family lived in way back in the day! I remember learning to ride a bike in that front yard when I was about 4 years old! It was fun to see the house again :)