Chapter 21: Dear H & L

Dear H & L,

I have very much enjoyed documenting your pregnancy the past few months! I wanted to share a few more details with you as the last few weeks tick away. Your Momma is almost 31 weeks pregnant! You will be here soon. We feel blessed that you have allowed this pregnancy to fly by so smoothly. Thank you, little ones!

We have had so much fun preparing our home over the past few months and as the day of your arrival comes quickly, we simply can't wait! I have a few more house todo's before you are due! I booked a carpet cleaning company to come out soon to clean the carpets and am planning on booking someone to come and clean our home the week before you are due (or while we are in the hospital with you!) I know once you arrive the vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning won't happen that frequently. Ohh and I am turning our home office into a office/playroom for you! This is a hard task- but I can't wait for it to come together!  Your nursery... Your nursery is just about done... just a few more decorative things to add and it will all come together. It is turning into such a fun bedroom!! The theme is antique/ shabby chic.  Your bedding is shades of cream, white, and tan. It is beautiful!  For your changing table we found a beautiful antique vanity. Your Daddy took off the mirror (which we will add back on when you are older)  We decided on a simple yet elegant cream sleigh crib for each of you! I am still on the search for the perfect rug, but that can come at a later time as it doesn't need to happen now.  I love your chandelier as it finishes off your sweet nursery perfectly. The only thing we are missing.... both of you! YET, we are fine with you staying in your "home" as long as you need.  I am feeling great and enjoy sleeping in while I can.  We love you so much! 

Love XOXO, 

Mommy and Daddy

Chapter 20: Twin Talk

How Far Along: 30 weeks!! Measuring at 37 weeks (if I had a singleton baby! )   

Size of Babies: Baby A is 2 lbs 10 oz and Baby B is 3 lbs! 

What You’re Doing this week: We attended a 'Moving Away' party for our friend Ben last weekend at Mel and Sean's home and then spent a fun day at the pool and wedding for Anna and Spencer! This week I am crafting, attending a doctors appointment, and visiting friends as they start back to 
work/teaching!

Cravings: Frozen Yogurt  

Sleep: I'm either getting used to not getting as much, or it is getting better!

New News: No more back pain! Wahoo... I am not sure why it left, but I am so excited! It sure has been nice! 

Weight Gain:  23 lbs- with twins....I am thankful for this number!  

Names: Layton Aaron and Hadley McKee 

Fetal Movement: Yes, they had a blast "dancing" at the Smith wedding! I have started documenting their movements each night. Not only can I feel them moving, but you can watch my belly move now too!! 

Mommy and Baby Details: Last week, we had the dreaded juice glucose test. It wasn't that bad (they had it in the refrigerator, which I think helped) and we passed! :) My weight gain has been great for a pregnancy with twins and still no stretch marks! Wahoo!! Common belly- you can do this.... We will start documenting their heart rates at 31 weeks. (NST- Non Stress Test) I will get to be hooked up to a monitor for 20 minutes twice a week. This data will compare their heart rates as we make it through our last 7 weeks of pregnancy with twins! :) So far there is no mention of bed rest and we hope to make it to 38 weeks. 

Now to move on to our nice 30 week black and white photoshoot (sonogram) from today- You both are beautiful!!! Baby A is still head down and Baby B is head up (breach)! Baby A is facing my back- therefore, I don't feel her move as much. Baby B is facing head up- so I feel all of her kicks and punches. :) You are both growing and putting on weight, therefore we are THANKFUL! We were able to monitor your heart rates today and both of you looked wonderful.   

*Note to Hadley and Layton: Your Momma and Daddy are getting so excited about meeting you! We have your last baby shower in two weeks at Aunt Melissa's and Uncle Sean's home.  We are so excited to celebrate you both with friends and family. You should feel very blessed to know that ALL 4 of your GREAT Grandma's will be at your baby shower and both of your Grandma's. We'll capture many pictures to share with you!    

Daddy Details: "Sit down!" "Don't move!" and "I'll get it for you." are the most common words out of Michael's mouth these days. Cute...

Anyways... Louisiana Tech plays Texas A&M this Thursday night! We are super excited to watch the game! GO Bulldogs!!

These pictures are from week 28! :) 

Chapter 19: From Teacher to Mommy

Teaching children has always been a passion of mine and as the tears fell from my eyes as I packed up my things Monday, I knew this was a sign that I love what I do (did)!  I know God gave me the gift to work with a room full of small children (and 20 sets of parents).. and STILL eagerly wake up knowing that this career was what God intended for me to do. :) Each day in a Kindergarten classroom comes with excitement, exhaustion, and lots of love! As hard as it was for me to pack up my classroom and say good bye to my wonderful team, this past Spring, I know that I made the right decision.  But packing my things and moving them home... that was really, really, hard for me! I am sure my husband thought I was crazy as the tears flowed down my face (in public) in the middle of dinner last night. :) I know that everything will be okay- staying home with these two angels will be wonderful and everything will work out.  This is something that I have always dreamed of...Mommy hood! 

 My days from a Kindergarten teacher to a Mommy will be similar yet different at the same time.  

*Calendar songs will be turned into tunes of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Lullabies.  

*Snack time will be MORE frequently :) 

*Recess- let's just call that tummy time

*Learning time-we will be doing lots of that 

*PE, art, music, computer-Mommy play dates

*"Please", "Thank you", "Yes Ma'am", and "No Ma'am" (minding our manners) will continue
*Great teachers never stop learning- I plan on learning a lot as a Mom

*Hugs from my sweet kinder kids will be turned into kisses, giggles, and coo's from my own little ones. 

So, as I sit back and think of how my days in the classroom will be missed, I know my days with these two sweet girls will be loved and cherished! Thank you Lord for allowing me to be home with Hadley and Layton. Thank you for allowing me to work at Sonntag a few hours a week to get my teacher/big kid fix/love and hugs. Thank you for providing me with loving friends and family members who are here to support me with this decision. 

This crazy adventure He is about to take us on is going to be a wild ride. 

 A ride that we have wanted, waited, and prayed for! God's timing is perfect. Buckle Up Tennison's....

Chapter 18- Twin Talk (3rd Trimester!)

How Far Along: 28 weeks... We are thrilled to be entering the THIRD TRIMESTER!  

Size of Babies: Small Cabbage  (2.9 lbs each)

What You’re Doing this week: Organizing and planning the girls nursery! This week I am searching for the perfect rug and lamp for their sweet bedroom. 

Cravings: Nothing really... I would LOVE a huge Dr. Pepper, but that will have to wait! 

Sleep: Sleep? What's that? hehe No really... I think God is giving me a little dose of what is to come. Hey- if this is the "hard" part of pregnancy for me, I'll take the lack of sleep.  I have been so grateful for such a wonderful and fun pregnancy!

Weight Gain:  18 lbs. 

Names: Layton Aaron and Hadley McKee 

Symptoms: None- just a growing, growing, growing belly! 

Fetal Movement: Oh, yes!! The girls have been competing in their own Twin Olympics! Gold Metals for both! Twin A moves much more then Twin B.

Baby Details: The girls are 16 inches tall now (nearly as tall as they will be at birth).  Their wrinkled skin is smoothing out as more fat is deposited to their sweet little bones! This next fact came to be very comforting for this Mommy of twins. Babies born this week, though premature, have an excellent prognosis because their lungs have reached the point (for the most part) of maturity. Phew- this made me feel good! 

*Note to Hadley and Layton: Your Momma and Daddy want you to stay in your little hotel :) as long as possible- so don't be making any grand entrance any time soon!

Daddy Details: This week Michael has been actively putting together each new item that comes in the mail or that has been given to us as a gift! He has set up both of the girls swings, bouncy chairs, running stroller, and their cribs!! What a good builder he is! We love you!

After our last baby shower- My wonderful sisters and Mom came over to help unpack/and put away items. And help they did! Lynley unpacked and built the diaper genie and put it away while Melissa and Mom unpacked clothes and organized the other gifts. Melissa and Lynley wanted to be a part of our weekly pictures. 

Here is our week 27 picture!

 {WE LOVE SISTERS} 

Sophie and Hondo wanted in on a picture! 

Sweet Sophie needed a hair cut- she got one this week! :) She is nice and skinny now. 

    

Chapter 17- Twin Photoshoot :)

 I wanted to take a few pictures of this growing belly as our weekends have seemed to book up rather quickly. I plan on taking a few more as the girls due date arrives. 

Tennison Twins are DUE- October 18th! 

Here are a few of our favorites!