The WAITing "GAME"

Sure, middle GA is a long way from Vegas...but who says you can't have a little fun and see what the "odds" are. Who's odds, you ask....well, your odds. Rumor has it that many of our dear family and friends have their own idea of when the Twangels will arrive. We'd sure like to see what you think, so take a minute to drop a comment (use the small link below this post) to give us your prediction. And since we're so close to the big day, include the time that you think they will be born (well, Taryn, that is...since she'll be first :-) ) And the tiebreaker will be baby weights...so add those in if you want to take the "prize." No money involved here, though...just the ever-so-coveted bragging rights of being able to tell everyone "I knew it!" and actually being able to back that up. So let us here from you!!

Want a tip...an "insider" hint??? Don't pick a day past Saturday...since Friday's the induction date, any guess past the 4th is sure to earn a laugh at your expense

TBNS

37 Week Update and Belly Shot

With every new picture I cant believe how BIG I am but I guess it comes w/ the territory...it is just amazing to see how I have just grown and grown. We had a dr. appointment today and Dr. Shirley continues to be impressed w/ how well everything is going. I am measuring 40 weeks which she says is perfect. I am 3cm dilated and 70%-80% effaced...which could mean absolutely nothing but it is fun to hear anyway. My next appointment is next Wed Apr 1...if I make it that far...dr. is pretty sure I will have these babies in the next week or so...if I don't go on my own by next Friday April 3rd she will induce then. It is so exciting to have an end date...I can hardly believe it. I really feel very blessed to have the dr. I do as she is not going to force any unnecessary medical interventions on us that we don't want. So many dr. force c-section upon their twin mom's and our dr. is not only not forcing one on us but she is excited about being able to do this the natural way :-). Another reason to love Dr. Shirley is she wants to wait to induce until Friday so she can be there w/ us as much as possible. She said she will do a late induction so she can finish her office hours and then be at the hospital w/ us throughout the labor. It is just a nice feeling to know your dr. cares so much.

Anyway if you don't hear from us before then I guess I can say expect a birth announcement sometime next Saturday...well actually we may not be able to update until Sunday or Monday as the hospital does not have Internet for us but just know we will update and post pictures as soon as we can. I cant believe this is actually happening...we are so excited!!!!!!

Hugs, love, and many Blessings to all
Chad and Gena

36 Weeks & an Update

I apologize for my delay in getting an update posted. I have been so tired and sore lately...I am definitely not moving very fast or far. My hips continue to bother me and actually are causing a ton of pain w/ any movement (sitting, sleeping, rolling over, walking) you name it but I continue to push through and try not to complain too much as this is all that is wrong I feel very blessed :). I was talking w/ Chad yesterday and realized I have made it through my pregnancy w/o bed rest and I am really surprised...I don't know why I thought that twins=bed rest but I guess that is not always the case YIPPEE :-). We had a dr appointment and a sonogram last week at 35 weeks. I was measuring 39 weeks and my dr. continues to be pleased w/ how well I am doing and the babies are growing. She is out of town this week so we are laying low so I don't go into labor until she gets back on Friday after that the babies can come whenever they want. Last week at their sonogram the babies were measured and continue to grow so well...I am so proud of them. Evan weighed in at 5lb 10oz and Taryn weighed in at 5lb 4oz...so if I make it to 38 weeks I fully expect to deliver babies in the 6lb range, which also surprises me as I thought I would have much smaller babies considering that I am having twins and they are going to be early. I cant believe we only have about 2 week left...of course only God knows (and the babies) when they are actually going to come. I am really hoping to not have to be induced but I still maintain whatever is necessary to ensure that we have a safe delivery always remains at the top of our priorities. We are so excited for our little ones to join family it seems so surreal. These past 36 weeks have gone by so fast...and now we are at the end...it is all just too amazing for words :-). I feel like I should make a list of all the things I will miss and not miss about being pregnant. Lets see

I will miss:
-Feeling that babies move...especially Evan as he is at the top and I can see and feel his movements so well...he is always poking out on one side of the other...a head, an arm, a butt, a leg it too cute

- Just knowing that their are these precious gifts from God growing in me...it is such an awesome and wonderful experience

- Chad spoiling me so much...he really has taken such great care of me :-)

- Being able to be a little more liberal w/ my diet...it is going to have to stink watching what/how much I eat again...midnight snacks are fun and something I haven't normally let myself indulge in but when the babies are hungry what else can I do but feed them :-)

- Chad rubbing my belly as he talks to his babies and tells them how much he loves them...it is so sweet

I wont miss
- My hips hurting so badly

- Comments from strangers and whispers from them like they think I cant hear what they are saying

- Not being able to have Diet Dr. Pepper...Chad already knows that it is his mission after the babies are born to find me a caffeine free diet dr. pepper :-) I have not had any soda in 9 months...which is a good thing but if I am being honest I do miss it and I really want one. Unfortunately I am still not going to be allowed caffeine until I am done nursing...all I can say is thank goodness for caffeine free soda and decaf coffee :-)

- Gaining weight...it is so hard to see the scale go up and up and up and up every week...it will be nice to see it move the other direction

What I am looking forward to:
- Holding our babies...loving on them and just being a family w/ our little ones

- Bringing them home and just trying to figure this whole thing out. You think you know what it is going to be like but really I know we have no clue but I am anxious to see how it all plays out

What I am not looking forward to:
- Labor :-)

What the SHIH is going on in this TZU!

Hellllooo yeall;." NasH and TeEbO heer with a reeport. its bin a lawng wile since weee have got on da compudder to say HI. Da tu of us r doin' well for tha most part...but we are still not sure what in the world is going on with the room next tu mom and dads...furst it was storage for like a yeer or twu...and 'den it was emptie...and 'den full of boxes again. Oh yah...and, welll, weee used to get baths in that bafroom but now it's the "NO Shih-Tzu Zone." ummmm, excuse us....but we r losing real 'state and we down't like that one bit. Dat room shur does look nice, though....and mom and Dad teLl us 'dat we have NO idEa what is coming oUr way...somethIng like 2 versus two...if n-e-one knowS whad 'dat means, pleAse email uS at two_spoiled_shihtzus.com. MayB everything will be great...we shur r ExcIted about the "big uhrrival"...eVen thouh we don't think that meens a U-Haul full of IAMS iS going to show Up at the door for Us. Watever it meens, you knOW wee will beee on r best beehayvior. Well, weee gotta run...Dad is gettting home now so it's dinnEr time. Until da nexxt tyme! Two paws up....NaSh and TeEBo.

34 Weeks & Still Growing

Since I seem to be growing so fast these days I thought I would start posting pictures every 2 weeks...of course who knows how many more that will be. Everything seems to still be on track for us to make it to 38 weeks but you never really know. The babies continue to be active and bring a smile to my face w/ every kick, punch, and roll. We just cant wait to meet them :-).

Dad, Are You Listening?

It's the eve of 34 weeks of pregnancy and all is truly well.  Gena is doing amazing...and even double amazing when you consider we have twins on board.  It was a neat day, as we got snow most of the day here in middle GA...a very uncommon sight here, and so beautiful and soothing.  With every falling snowflake came wishes, dreams, and visions of playing in the snow with Evan and Taryn!  I installed the car seat bases in the RX today...what a neat feeling and sensation as I envisioned returning from the hospital with Taryn in the Plum-colored carrier and Evan in the Titan-Blue colored carrier.  Nearing the big double-day, it's been a mix of childbirth classes and reading some books (currently reading "Happiest Baby on the Block.")  I am now a firm believer in (and ready for) the 4th Trimester!   

Gena, Evan, Taryn, and I continued our time in the flashlight with another round of maternity photos.  We started up with a friend that I knew from work who has retired from the military and now does photography.  Mitch is awesome to work with and does outstanding work...it will be a pleasure to take Evan and Taryn back for newborn, 3, 6, 9 and 12 month photos.  Here I spent a quiet moment listen to my two little angels!  The percussion of their kicks and hits is music to the ears of a parent.  

It's been an amazing journey thus far and each day is such a true blessing.  As their arrival nears, I feel that fatherly sensation growing and the urge to hold them just bubbles over with pride and anticipation.  I am so humbled when I think about how God has chosen us to raise this tandem-team of His...children who have great purpose in this world not only as individuals, but as teammates in the journey of life.  Evan Reece and Taryn Grace are true miracles from God....sure can't wait to welcome them to this world!