Clean Butts are Happy Butts

I had been in an internal panic that I wouldn’t have any diapers for my children, I was purchasing a package of diapers every time I stopped at the grocery store or Target just to start my stockpile. I officially do not need to think about diapers anymore. Why? Because my work held a diaper baby shower and we have a truckload (literally a truckload!) of diapers! Holy cow!

A truckload of diapers

To put some of the diapering into perspective – we received 3,369 diapers at the party and about 4,000 wipes. Since I’m a nerd and I enjoy math – here’s some statistics about our poop-catching cloths:

·         On average each diaper costs $0.23. We have a total value of $775 in diapers

·         If each newborn goes through 10 diapers each day, that’s 20 diapers for the twins. That will last more than ½ of a year at the maximum usage rate.

·         On average each wipe costs $0.05. We have a value of $200 in wipes.

·         If each changing requires 2 wipes, that’s 40 wipes per day. The stockpile of wipes will last for more than 3 months.

Yea, we have a total of nearly $1,000 value in butt cleaning products stashed throughout the house. It looks ridiculous that diapers are stashed in every nook and cranny, and boxes are stacked high on the camper in the garage. I think what’s most intimidating is that all of these will be used…that’s a lot of poop!

I’ll officially stop clipping coupons for diapers and wipes for awhile. (Unless it’s a deal I can’t pass up like combining a Publix coupon, a Winn Dixie coupon, and a manufacturer coupon to get diapers for pennies…couponing is addicting, I can’t stop that).Now it’s trying to find another focus for my couponing stockpile.  I don’t know what that next level will be but I need to fill this couponing void! I’ve joined all of the baby clubs, rewards points clubs, formula clubs to get maximum benefit of having twins and needing twice the product of everything. I doubt this energy for couponing and rewards points will last once the babies are born…

What else is going on – the “nesting” piece is kicking in. Last weekend I did a bunch of laundry to clean the 0-3 month clothes, sheets, and blankets. I didn’t use that special baby detergent- I’m using All Free & Clear, supposed to be hypoallergenic so I’m hopeful the babies are happy with that. I’m avoiding washing the “fancy clothes”, I’ve just washed the onesies since I’m unsure if these babies will be big or small. I’m still not sure what I “need” still or what I just “want”; we’re quickly running out of space for baby gear! I know we have more than we need already – if the babies would just get here I’d stop worrying about not having enough and realize we’ve got essentials!

We went to the “caring for newborns” class last night; we learned how to wash a baby, swaddle, use the nose-suckers, general wellbeing for babies. Once again left the class feeling very overwhelmed with all of the things that newborns need and I’m sure I’ll forget most of what the instructor said.  Overall the classes at Tampa General have been informative, we’ve been seeing a lot of the same couples in the classes. We feel comfortable with the hospital, aware of their procedures and facilities…so now we just wait…and wait…and wait…

My to-do list for the week for baby prep:

1.    Finish washing 0-3 month items, socks, hats, and booties

2.    Make a hospital bag

3.    Make a birth plan (if I even have an option of c-section or normal)

4.    Continue cocoa-buttering 2x per day to encourage these stretch marks to go away.

5.    Buy more diapers (haha just kidding!)

Wrights cake...SO delicious!

Yes, I weigh more than Todd now.

Thanks to the sneaky beautiful party planners! You're fabulous!

I Was Made For This

Amazing powerful realization occurred on Tuesday night that was just like lightning and hit me. I was made for this. Not only me, but God created all women specifically and purposefully to make, nurture, house, deliver, and sustain babies. I know that might seem painfully obvious, but the details of what I’ve seen in the labor and delivery class as well as the breastfeeding class just put it even stronger in my brain that God has a purpose for me! All of the struggle of conception, the science behind how our babies made it…God knew that my mind and faith were strong enough to handle the process, and he knew and built my body to be tough enough going through a twin pregnancy, delivery, and motherhood. To think that I’m providing every nutrient these babies need right now, and that the babies and I will be working together to deliver, and then I’ll be able to provide every nutrient they need when they arrive…I don’t even have words!

I was made for this. My stretch marks would tell you differently – that my body wasn’t made to be stretched like it is…but seeing how my body has changed, knowing the route the babies will take to come out and how babies instinctually know in the womb to turn vertex and face outward, and knowing that my body will provide every nutrient that my babies will need…it’s unfathomable. God is awesome, and this crazy complex human body was made for this very purpose. Sorry boys, you have a great purpose but yours is more of a support role than THE main act.

I’m jazzed for labor and breastfeeding now! (Remind me that I said this in 2 months when I’m in excruciating pain and at a lack of sleep…). The more education I get, this process really is the miracle of life. The coolest thing that I’ve learned this week was in the breastfeeding class and that there is the natural instinct of a newborn to crawl across mom’s chest to feed right out of the womb. Baby isn’t even cleaned off or really cute yet, but placed skin to skin on mom will instinctually use smell and warmth to find their own way to the milk and latch on. No help needed. This little baby that is just minutes old into a scary and cold external world knows exactly what to do – God programmed that tiny little brain to know mom that well. I think Todd was annoyed with me during the class as I kept turning to him and saying “no way! That’s crazy!”

What else got me jazzed is that my over-achieving nature is helping me succeed in this pregnancy. Now, I know that every pregnancy is different and I’m very fortunate to have Todd so supportive and job that keeps me from going baby-crazy and a healthy body that is allowing success. But when we’re in these classes and I’m listening to women at 29 weeks complain about feet aching, not being able to work, being miserable with 1 baby…yeah, I don’t have much pity for that complaining. I’m pulling 10+ workdays, forgetting to eat lunch, traveling, still taking care of dogs, making dinner…with two. And I don’t think I’m complaining TOO much in the process, but you’ll have to ask Todd. And I haven’t really experienced any terrible physical signs. I was tired the first trimester but never threw up. I never got “pregnancy brain” and the forgetfulness.  So 1 point for Kelly for being tough.  Also, a big risk with multiples is that one baby will grow at a faster rate than another – nope, mine are both right on track at 29 weeks both roughly the same size. No complications, no gestational diabetes, no cervical problems. So 1 more point for Kelly for being a good provider. Many women have difficulty and fear that they won’t be able to provide milk for their babies – well, I’ve already got evidence in my bras that it won’t be a problem for me. So 1 more point for Kelly and my lady lumps. It’s just all a blessing and the pieces of the miracle puzzle are being put together in my mind. Physically God made women’s bodies to do this. Personally, God gave me the mind, body, and strength to do this. He knew exactly what He was doing. So, 1 billion points for God for all of his gifts.

The only parting thought I can leave today is from Jeremiah 1:5 -
"I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart ..."

Hello 3rd Trimester!

28 weeks...at most 10 weeks to go! Time continues to fly by. This past weekend I was honored with a great baby shower. It was so special to have my family in town and my close friends around to celebrate the Burchell Babies. As my mom put it...we have everything we need to bring the babies home (now it's just those extra "fun" things we want). We can change them, feed them, and they have a place to sleep. What other essentials are there? I am in complete amazement at how creative my friends and family are! Miss B had the cutest decorations, great games and prizes, and delicious homemade parting gifts. Miss T made the most adorable cupcake display (almost too cute to eat...ALMOST). My sister and her husband used their kitchen skills and made the coolest fruit salad ever. And my mom finally started the curtains which are the perfect touch to the nursery. I'm honored just at the thought of the time and creativity that went into the day. I have no way to express how grateful I am.

Todd was also a sneaky little daddy too. He planned, scheduled, and pre-paid for a salon day for my sister and I where we got manicures, pedicures, hair cuts, and coloring! He had a little bit of a selfish motive - I have been complaining about my "half and half" hair for quite some time and I'm always complaining about my Flinstone feet. But it was a nice surprise, very unlike my Burchie to do that.

I also have hit my emotional peak I think. I was inconsolable when my mom left on Sunday, really just lay in bed most of the day crying and upset. And it's not that I won't see her or that I never talk to her - we talk a lot and she is going to come down to help once the babies are born. I was just a wreck. Once I was able to gain composure, it was time for my sister to leave and the vicious cycle started again. Once I was able to gain composure in the late afternoon, I was going through one of my many daily Cocoa Buttering sessions and saw how intense and how fast the stretch marks were growing and completely lost it for a 3rd time over the weekend. These babies are definitely taking a toll on my body, not that I ever was or had the dream of being a model but I don't think bare midriff will ever be in my future again.

I am starting to get uncomfortable, but as long as I don't think about it, it isn't so bad. Sitting upright all day is tough and driving is really difficult longer than 30 minutes. I'm getting used to the belly - i notice it's a great place to rest my arms, my cups, my laptop, my plate of food...it's pretty convenient! People still tell me I look great and "small for twins"...I'll take that while I can!

Here are some pictures from the shower - I'm happy to report that 28 weeks after IVF we are still strong and healthy and we continue to be thankful for Dr Meyer and his team at USF for their skill and expertise that makes our family more complete in 10 short weeks (if that!!)

Sisters

Cupcakes! Each chair and decoration hand made...

Decorations and cupcake display

Food! Sorry it was Publix "wraps" and not "Subs"

Creation of Stephen and Becky

Cool kids grow up with GloWorms

The Ladies

The cupcake master

The hostess with the mostess

26 Weeks Update

To put things in perspective...in 2 short months we should be preparing ourselves for the early arrival of the Burchell Babies! Holy cow that's fast! Luckily (or un-luckily)...work is so incredibly busy that I haven't had time to allow my self to worry anymore about the babies and if "we're ready" or allowing my brain to go baby-crazy anymore. Life NEEDS to slow down and I NEED to soak it all in, but I'll wait for June to really start hunkering down :) I'm thankful for my job and being busy; it's not stressful work per say, just a lot of it.

Updates since the last post - we had 2 visits/sonograms,  went to 2 classes, and took some more pictures. Woo hoo! The frequency of doctors appointments are much more frequent now, we'll be looking at weekly visits starting in mid June. The "due date" is still 8/6, that hasn't changed but after the next measurement sonogram it may change depending on how big these babies are. The doctor said that everything looks great - healthy heartbeats, I look good, I'm carrying them well. No signs of complications.

2 weeks ago we had a measurement sonogram. The appointment started as a regular boring check up but the nurse wanted to get better readings on the heartbeats and check their size. Baby girl was 2 weeks advanced in size - 1 pound 12 oz and baby boy was 1 pound 9 oz. Both of them were at least a week a head in "growth". They were very active. 2 weeks ago I felt bits of kicks, nothing painful or that Todd could feel...it's amazing what changes in 2 weeks! My guess is these babies are a good 2.5 pounds each now.

I feel them all day now, sometimes it's painful kicks, sometimes its just uncomfortable tightening as the babies move around. At today's visit I did the 26-week glucose test to measure for gestational diabetes. If you know me, you know my LOVE for candy and sweets...so hopefully my body is processing sugar just fine since I have a constant flow of sugar in my blood but we'll see in a few days. The test consists of drinking a small bottle of orange drink. I thought it was delicious! It tasted like flat orange soda, or one of those Mr. Freezy pops that isn't frozen. Towards the end of the bottle it started burning as it went down because it was so sweet but nothing intolerable. Since the babies were doped up on sugar, it made the ultrasound fun to watch with the kicking, rolling, and punching! Poor baby boy was getting kicked in the head by his bully sister nonstop! What was particularly cool about this appointment was the stenographer took 3D pictures. My sister said these are creepy, and all I can focus on is how gigantic their heads are! They surely have Todd's cranium and my pouting face.

Baby boy

Baby girl

Last night we also went to another education class - the Infant Safety & CPR class. Overall takeaways from the class...First, essentially everything is a danger! It's going to be impossible to raise these babies in the protective bubbles that are recommended. Second, we know infant CPR now which is scary, but a relief as well. we hope to never need to use it but it's nice to know we're educated. Third, there's a lot cool products out there to make safety easier for the babies. A big plastic protective bubble would be easier, but some cool things out there like faucet protectors, door latches, blinds cord covers, and table ends. Oh yea, and don't feed infants french fries, no matter how mushy and smushy they are. (I learned that the hard way about 6 months ago, but it continues to be a traumatizing memory for me. Sorry Ryleigh!)

We also got a hospital tour, the official nickle tour two Sundays ago. Great information, helpful hints. Turns out Tampa General has 2 Labor rooms that also have a jacuzzi in the private bathroom so you can relax in a hot tub while you're going through early labor. Too bad I probably won't enjoy the beautiful labor and delivery rooms at TGH since I'll be in the operating room. We also confirmed again that we'll have the bigger private rooms, and we are the least picky parents-to-be regarding "needs". There was one couple there that was very open about their displeasure with the size of the post partum rooms...I think they missed that this is a hospital and not a hotel...and I think they were actually hoping to have labor or post partum complications so they get a bigger room. They probably are the couple that still calls an airline flight attendant a "waitress".

A few picture updates as well - I've been hesitant to post pictures because I'm not comfortable with my size but it's a part of pregnancy. I officially feel like I look pregnant now and not just fat which is a good thing, but now the mental and emotional part of growing is getting to me and stretch marks are coming with a vengeance...and sitting is becoming uncomfortable. At the end of the day my tailbone really hurts, and I need to sit and drive "gangsta" style to stretch out my stomach so I'm not squishing.Laying down at night is the best feeling in the world to just stretch out flat...until i decide to go to sleep when I toss and turn. I can't wait to be a stomach sleeper again!

25 Weeks

This is a bit of an exaggeration. I wore a tiny t-shirt to accentuate. On Wisconsin!

 Mom's response was "Oh my". 

26 weeks, going to work. i thought this was a smile...

Pulling off the motherly look, not yet in flippy flops

 Next doctor's appointment is the first week of June; the next few weeks will have a lot of excitement including a baby shower, family visits in town, and our labor & delivery class. Busy weekends to look forward to, makes the long hours at work worth it to know that I'm working for the weekend!

Most Frequently Asked Questions

Since I'd seen so many people this past week at a training conference that I haven't seen since November I got a lot of really good questions...here's the most common/best ones I've gotten:

1. Are you going to have more after this? Wow, really? I hope we can survive with these two! I cannot say now if we will have more - but I won't say no yet! When Todd and I got married he wanted 4, I wanted 2 so we settled on 3. Then we said we'd be happy with 1 through InVitro. So we'll see how the first 2 years go with these babies before we decide on more!
2. Are you going to go back to work? Yes! These babies need food, diapers, and college funds! I enjoy working, I enjoy who I work with. I hope to be able to return to work in the same capacity that I have now. I feel like a bad mom to say I know that I want to go back to work, but I think it's more of a numbers game and financially it's necessary. I am planning on taking my 12-weeks FMLA and then todd will take his 12-weeks unpaid FMLA afterwards so we will have a good amount of time before we have  to put them in daycare. 
3. Are you having any weird cravings or aversions? I loved weird food before so I can't say I'm having any weird cravings. Nothing like pickles dipped in ice cream or weird stuff like that. The only craving I can really remember is V-8 in the first trimester. Couldn't get enough of that stuff, and now it's back to being a disgusting drink. I've always had an insane sweet tooth so the chocolate eating cannot be attributed to that. 
4. How else are you feeling? Honestly, I feel great. I am not as tired as I was first trimester, I never had morning sickness, I don't think I'm having mood swings (you'll have to ask Todd on that!). I do have mental lows I wouldn't call depression but I do feel really down sometimes that requires me to just come home and go to sleep. But physically I'm feeling good. 
5. Can you feel them kicking? Every now and then yes I can! The doctor said I have an "anterior placenta" which means the babies are growing on the side furthest from my belly button. Not a bad position, just where they are. So it may take a little longer to feel them since they have to go through the placenta, the uterus, the muscle, and the extra padding I had to start out with. I can feel them from the inside, sometimes I can feel a kick on the outside. Todd still hasn't been fortunate enough to catch them in action. 
6. How is Todd dealing with this? Todd would carry these babies if he could! He's nesting, he's shopping, he's researching, he's singing to my belly. Just absolutely stoked, the next 12-14 weeks will be the hardest of his life! He's usually not the impatient one in the relationship. 
7. Do you have family around to help? Todd's side of the family all lives within 30 minutes which is great, and there are already lots of children so there's "experts" around to ask questions to and get help. I haven't been the greatest at the family-bonding but I know that nobody wants to see unhappy or unhealthy babies so they will be in good hands. And although my side of the family is all over, I know that they will be praying for us everyday, calling to check in, and coming down whenever they can which is more than we can ask for. And of course there are some really great friends that we have here too that are all excited for babies (probably they are most excited that they aren't the ones having the babies...). 
8. Are you going to nurse? Heck yes for a couple of reasons! First, health benefits both for me and the babies. If I can shed the pounds faster while helping provide nutrients to my babies there is no doubt. Second, financially much cheaper to buy bottle liners and a pump than $35 formula that will last a week! Lastly, my lady lumps are huge...God better have given me these for a purposeful reason!    
9. Are you keeping your dogs? My dogs are my first babies, of course they will stay. My dogs have very good temperament when they are around familiar things. They are protective and playful dogs, I have no doubt in my mind that they will be fabulous at cleaning up after messes, providing entertainment, and sniffing out poopy diapers. It will be hard keeping them quiet and under control but they are family. I think MacGyver knows there are babies growing in my belly. He's been very protective of me lately (won't play outside with Todd if I'm still inside) and he'll lay on the couch and lay his head on my stomach. He's very gentle around me, he's a smart cookie. 
10. Are multiples common in your family? Remember, not everyone knows our IVF adventure...so it's a very valid question for those that don't know the science behind our babies. I've answered differently depending on who it is. Of course the answer is always "No, we're the first!"; sometimes if the conversation lasts longer I'll divulge that "science helped us" and that usually ends the conversation too. At least the question isn't right off the bat, "did you conceive naturally"? 
11. Are you going to deliver naturally?  I'm going to do whatever the doctors recommend. It's not guaranteed we'll have a C-section, it all depends on how big they are, how they are positioned, etc. I'm not a crazy hippie that wants to feel all of the pain - regardless I will be heavily drugged whether I'm pushing or they're pulling them out.

More Surprise Blessings

I've popped out! Up until this week I didn't think I looked pregnant - I don't know if it was seeing so many people that I haven't seen in awhile and seeing their reactions and they ingrained in my brain that I am pregnant, or I've really physically popped out, (or if I've over-eaten and I've got a food-baby in there as well) but there's no more outfits that don't consist of stretchy maternity pants...which by the way are awesome, I don't think I'll ever want to wear pants with buttons again, why do that when I can feel like I'm wearing sweatpants all of the time?!?

This week was a long one - hard work, lots of brain and patience testing work...so coming home at night was the high light of my day. Tuesday night I get home around 8:30 and there is a huge box that has our double stroller sitting in the living room! I give Todd a lot of credit for not opening that box and playing with the stroller...but I read the card and it was from my friend (who is also expecting, 1 month before us) and it just made my day. Very unexpected, very appreciated. I practiced setting it up, collapsing it, pushing it around. It's huge, and it's like pushing around a limo but I think we definitely made the right choice with the stroller we chose - a front-to back stroller. Thank you my dear friend PJL! Do we look like naturals or what? (And my dogs are too big to fit in and try it out, sorry)

So then the work week continued, we had a group dinner on Thursday night. I was grumpy, I was tired, I was very tempted to skip dinner and go home sick, officially pull the "i'm pregnant and not feeling well" card for the first time in the pregnancy. But I didn't and it was a good thing because my scheming co-workers had put together a surprise shower to go along with dinner! Another unexpected, completely appreciated, and speechless experience. After opening the presents I was just staring at the gifts in the restaurant in amazement, shocked, and thinking "OMG this is really happening!" Not only was there a group gift of the two infant carriers but there were also even more gifts. I went home with a full car. Coincidentally I got the stroller earlier in the week so I could practice putting the carriers in them and taking them out! I got to practice with the real deal. Thank you to my GLN working team, even though we rarely see each other I feel very fortunate to have all of the support.

Conversation at dinner was around if I was feeling emotional or had cravings - to which I said I didn't have anything major...but when I got home I started bawling! I don't deserve this kind of fabulous treatment, what have I done to get two babies, a fabulous husband, and a loving network of support!?

Now that we're getting some things and stocking up on diapers each time we grocery shop - I need to figure out where we're going to store all of this stuff! We put pieces together in the baby room but now I need to think about storage shelving or bins/baskets to organize all of these new baby essentials. Some pictures of the baby room painted in our Beach theme...need to get the pictures on the wall but here's what we're working with:

Before the cribs came in

Nice painting and chair rail, Todd!

Two cribs really fill up this small room...

Haven't decided if the chair will stay. And imagine the room with the curtains my mom is "thinking about" making :)

Handy man Todd building the cribs

Macy saying "what are these things that you won't let me lick, mom?"

I think that catches me up on pictures for awhile...we go to the doc for a regular check-up visit early Monday morning; take the measurements, get on the scale, and hear the heartbeats. 24 weeks...the babies could be here in 12 short weeks which boggles my mind - seems like a long way away but time is flying. On a final note, Google has updated their Blogger software and I can see statistics and such...since starting the blog there has been 2,913 views - and 4 this morning before I woke up and started writing. Whether it's mistakes or duplicates or random browser searches...whew! Burchie's feel 'da love :)

Weekends of Progress

Exciting times in the Burchell household, lots of great progress was made and I'm feeling really great. I still have my down mood but there's so much to be thankful for that I really cannot be upset and I shouldn't let the downers get to me because Todd and I are just so incredibly blessed.

We've hit 22 weeks today - the comparison from The Bump is the length of a Papaya; the comparison from Baby Center is the length  of a spaghetti squash. Since I've been electing the greens in the past, we chose to take a picture with the big Papayas. It's a little deceiving - it is the length of the Papaya, not the full size! And the babies are all curled up in a tight little ball not stretched out like a Papaya...but still starting to get unbelievable. Babies are nearly 11 inches long each and just shy of 1 pound each. They should start growing rapidly now - we have 15 weeks left, if that...

Over Easter weekend we were surprised and we both survived our first baby shower! Thanks to my terrific family up in Wisconsin for making such a surprise and memorable day. Mom and dad did a great job lying...over EASTER WEEKEND too - the holiest week of all my mom pulls a fast one on us! The theme was perfect, of course Disney. Just an unbelievable amount of support that came our way and really touched our hearts and made me feel so undeserving of that kind of planning and attention. A few pictures from the party:

The dessert table. Yummy!

Beach Minnie and Mickey! (And the cake had a pudding filling...to die for!)

Mickey cake pops, and mickey rice crispy treats. Creativity at it's finest!

  Around the house we've also been very productive preparing for babies...well, Todd has not me. He finished painting the babies room this weekend - the chair rails are up, the floor boards are painted, the ceiling (where I did a poor trim job) has been fixed. Next step is to hang pictures and move in furniture. We also purchased cribs this weekend. Babies R Us we've found had the most affordable options for cribs, and we went in with our 20% coupons ready to be discounted. There was actually a better deal going on so we were able to purchase 2 brand new cribs and a changing table for $500. So this will pretty much take up the entire room now...

 Finally, we also officially registered at Target and Buy Buy Baby. Not that we're expecting or asking for gifts, but it doubled as a very useful exercise to go through to really think about what you need for a baby, forces you to research brands, and forces you to think about how to really take care of babies once they are home. I think we went a little overboard with the scanner but what do we really know yet? I'm sure we'll have a new perspective once we go to our baby classes in May and June.   Tonight is also my first night at Tampa Bay Mothers of Multiples so I'm excited to see how that goes and start seeing how twins are really managed.