Life is all about the Journey, so enjoy it!

Saturday, November 1, 2014

17weeks and counting

Week 17 quick update!

Hello Hello!

Today is the start of 18weeks, woot-woot!! The babies are now the size of a bell pepper, crazy! Only 155 days to go until this wonderful family is 2+.


Luckily everything thus far has been smooth sailing. I wish i had more to post about but there haven't been any new happenings or cravings.


Here are some pictures to track lil McM's journey:

                Here's an adorable tank from my IP's. Love it, right now it's a little long but i'm sure it'll fit perfectly over the bump in no time!


                         I do attribute this mishap to the pregnancy. I went to the grocery store last weekend and noticed once in the store that i had my house slippers on. Pretty embarrassing, all I could do was laugh at myself.


Here are pictures from Halloween Morning, holy moly has that bump grown. It's getting pretty heavy at times and takes some time to role from my left side to my right side. But other than that  very manageable.


                                               


                  My girls being silly at the zoo. Every year the day before Halloween i take the kids to Boo at the Zoo. It's geared toward a younger crowd and isn't scary! here they are Thursday night being silly as we were leaving the zoo.
                                           

Here are pictures of my girls costumes:

2011 They were Giraffes and I was a Zoo keeper... My sister was a Giraffe too!





2012 They were bumble Bees and I was the Queen Bee



2013 They were Batgirls and I was Catwoman. These costumes were hand made. My girls still love batman and superman.


                     My mom dressed up too!! ...we asked the wrong person to take a photo :(

And 2014 we were Veggies!!
I wore a red pepper costume one day! Lil gen was hell bent on being a pickle. Since i thought that was the most adorable request i made her costume. Lil Gianna was a carrot, easy to find and easy to alter!




                                    A better View of my very fitting "for the time being" peapod costume!



               Well on that note I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween and wish everyone a wonderful weekend... GO NINERS!!!


XOXO FiestyMomma

Friday, October 24, 2014

Weeks 15 & 16

Here's the 15 week photo:


Had our 16 week appointment Friday the 17th and everything looks great! Both babies are growing on track in their sacs, and by belly is measuring right on track!

The baby on the left was positioned under the baby on the right so we weren't really able to get a good photo of the baby’s body. Here is a picture of her head looking top down.


The baby on the right was easier to see. The picture below shows her in a downward diagonal position, you can see her whole spine and head, she’s looking down!


I’m pretty sure the big movement I felt last weekend was the baby on the left changing positions. I read my IP's blog and grandma’s response.  It brought tears of joy to my eyes! I’m so excited for the whole family, I completely love this feeling! Last night I felt the babies moving as soon as I laid down. Right now it’s more like a tightening in spots which goes away once they move from that position. Not much kicking or fast sharp movements yet, I’ll be sure to let everyone know when that occurs. Now I can occasionally tell where the babies are in my tummy. If the both are towards the right I can feel a tightness from the inside and the outside will be solid hard. I can't believe the lil ones are now the size of avocados!!



The second trimester has been a lot easier.

Food:
 No more egg or broccoli aversions YAY. I made a kale, bok choy, bell pepper, broccoli and ground turkey frittata  as soon as the thought didn't upset my stomach. I have been craving lots of veggie filled soups. I had veggie pho the other day, amazing! I still have to eat smaller portions, and that most likely won’t change. I’m gaining weight right on track, I’ve gained 2.75 lbs J. I was nervous because the looks of my belly I’ve gained 10 lbs!  I’ve been making sure the McM’s are getting plenty of nutrients from healthy food rather than fatty food that will just add love handles. Thank you to the grandparents for aiding in healthy baby growth! The organic veggie delivery is very much appreciated, by Fiesty momma, the twinjas and lil McM’s.

                                                                  Frittata I love you!



Energy:
Woot woot, my energy is back! No more falling asleep at 10 pm and dragging myself out of bed at 9:30. I’ve been able to get a normal 7 hours sleep and feel completely rejuvenated! I do now have to sleep on my side with a pillow under the belly. I’m generally a belly sleeper, those days are out the window for another 5 months. Exercising is feeling good as well.

                                                                     Gym Time!!



Gen & Gia,
My daughters are so cute. They tell me “Mommy your belly is getting bigger” I tell them that’s because they babies are growing and each week I tell them what they are the size of. They keep asking when they’re going to come out and if they can see them.  I tell them not until they get really big. Genevieve will randomly come sit next to me, give my belly a kiss and then walk away. Wednesday night she fell asleep with her hand on my belly, because she was keeping them warm.My mini’sGianna Valentina & Genevieve Marie are my world, and are crazy. Here's what i woke up to the other night (11pm) when I accidentally fell asleep on the couch.

                                                 They're singing "I'm a Rock Star"


                                                         My lil cowgirls love their boots!

Gianna has fair skin and blue eyes, she is more the sensitive and emotional one, and gives at least 20 kisses a day. Sometimes Genevieve gets annoyed at how many times she kisses her a day, but I can never get enough! At the same time she is very sassy. She loves to sing and dance and does well in large crowds but is generally the shyer one.
                                                             First thing in the morning!



Genevieve is my feisty comedian. She wants to do everything by herself and although very loving she’s also very independent. She often tells her sister to go to timeout for no reason and laughs as her sister goes and sits in her room. Not sure why Gianna listens but she does. She is pretty athletic and clumsy. She’s always falling but rarely cries, usually she says “I dusted it off”.
They are my dynamic duo and they are best friends. They were so upset with me the other day when I took them to gymnastics in different outfits. Genevieve almost didn’t want to go in. She said “but mom sissy and I don’t match, that’s not ok” Finally I was able to talk her into going but I know not to make that mistake again!
                                                                  Crazy eyes!



Between kids, work, party planning and football season growing babies is currently the easiest aspect of life. It keeps me very conscious of what I’m putting into my body, but other than that life is pretty much normal. I’m sure the bigger they get the more apparent it will become in everyday life.

Here are photos from my Ladies Fall Bake night last Friday. 






Hosting events is one of my favorite things to do. 
XOXO FiestyMomma

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Weeks 12 & 13 (2 in one)

 Afternoon friends,


Emotional times:  I can’t help but cry tears of joy every day. Yesterday while driving the Twinjas to gymnastics Kid Rock’s “All summer Long” came on. Gianna yelled to turn it up as she started clapping and lip singing, as if she knew the words. Next thing you know where were all singing and clapping. I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear as I glimpsed at them in the rear view mirror. I immediately thought of momma to be and her having a moment like this with her girls. A simple moment and all it takes to experience is an openness and good attitude. I get so overwhelmed for the joys my IP’s are going to have.




I was so ecstatic to see that both baby girls are growing great! I really admire my IF's confidence and positivity. He never showed any doubt, which is comforting. I’m glad my IM has a shoulder like that to lean on. My IP's smiles were so big when we saw the babies, which actually looked like babies this time. We could see the little facial features. I’m sure if it wasn't real before it became real at that moment! There they are lying feet to feet, each in their own little sac.



Lil McM’s are now the size of tangerines. Key developments this week are the opening and closing of the fingers and mouths. Now that the motor skills are kicking I’ll be sure to update everyone as soon as I feel anything. This week I could feel their heartbeats. Something that many women don't feel, but I have no doubt about it!


With the babies growing so is my belly. Luckily I'm right on track for weight gain and still staying fit. No worries, my doctor has confirmed is safe and healthy. He actually said he wished more pregnant women would exercise! Healthy vessels help grow healthy babies!

                                   
                                          Yes, I often wear a hoodie and a fanny pack to the gym
                                     **random fact, i am obsessed with fanny packs, and own multiple


I was thinking of mommy & daddy’s soon travels and thought about how things will change. When you first have kids you go everywhere with a massive diaper bag loaded with ALL the necessities.  For some that never changes. I've always been a mom on the go, there is rarely a weekend we aren't doing something fun &/or visiting family. Over time necessities have evolved I went from carrying a diaper bad with a change of clothes, shoes, first aid kit, creams, toys, perfume and a purse to throwing my wallet in and ditching the purse. I no longer carry a “diaper bag” because my purse is no longer my purse, it’s now a cute bad to haul around my daughters items. Most days I can get away with diaper wipes, antibacterial soap and an extra pair of chonis (hispanic slang for underwear). However yesterday I dumped out my purse to find my phone which was lost in the abyss of a suitcase I now lug around, and out came a silver pair of girls shoes, my little pony chonis, wipes, one sock, a picture they colored at the restaurant, an apple, a toothbrush, orange nail polish, and more… yup that’s a purse after a weekend with my mini’s, and I love it! So enjoy your clutter free travels while they still exist!

Week 12

Week 13
*My daughters ask that I take it in the Tigger costume that i randomly own. I didn't have a good reason not to, so Tigger it was. Lil Gen helped me make the chalk drawing (she added the smiley face on the left)


The other day I asked my daughters “what do mommy’s do” and both said work on computers. I decided to rephrase my question “What are your favorite things about your mommy” the responses are cute. “ you kiss me, sit with me, color me, rub my tummy when it hurts, and cuddle me.” I love it all, and concluded that the 3 main important things to my daughters is that I provide for them, I am affectionate and spend quality time with them. It was nice to know neither of them brought up materialistic things or candy!


Ne who bring on the exciting second tri-mester!

XOXO Fiesty momma- Surro Jenn

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

11 weeks

Happy 11 weeks!

Sorry I've been MIA, life has been crazy! Work, family, raising Twinjas and football have been consuming me.  ** Not sure if I mentioned it but I call my girls Twinjas= Twin Ninjas since they were in my belly, nun-chuck and fireball!


This week has been great, I haven’t had any morning sickness nor as many food aversions and best of all no gas! Sorry if that’s TMI… it was all new to me because I didn't have them with my first pregnancy.

Today is a big day! My IPs are coming for our 11 week appointment. I’m so nervous and excited at the same time. I’m nervous because we had complications early on (week 5 bleeding) and this will tell us if both McM’s are still in there and healthy. On the other hand I’m excited to see my IP’s and catch up with them, and I really anticipate good news! I feel bad because we haven’t talked much but there hasn't been much going on baby wise. I see today as a big milestone we've been waiting for and have had a lump in my throat for the past 2 days. I can only imagine how my IP’s feel. Crossing my fingers! I always think of how grateful I am to be going through this journey with such an amazing group of people. I can truly see how happy and loving my IP’s are and it’s so warming. I admire their positive spirits and outlook on life. I also love the fact that this is a journey for a whole family. I hope I get to meet everyone someday. I've heard amazing things about the whole gang! OMG Jane just sent me the awesome pictures of everyone, Thank you Thank you!!


Updates… Baby McM’s are now the size of Figs! Some of the babies’ organs are almost complete! Crazy how some things happen so early, this is why it’s important to consume a healthy diet from the beginning! Thanks to McM’s grandparents I've been eating lots of organic veggies! I am starting to show and am in that weird stage where people can’t tell if you've just gained weight (beer belly) or if you’re prego. I went maternity shopping for the first time, and took my girls with me. Being a bargain shopper I first tried all of my regular cheaper stores: Ross, Target, Marshalls, H&M… no luck. I tried on a pair and asked Genevieve if she liked them she asked me if I pooped in my pants, when I told her no she said then why is your butt saggy! I laughed so hard and finally went to a more expensive store (which I had never been to, but desperate times call for desperate measures) and found a pair of pants right away, lil Gen gave me thumbs up, bought!
That same week my mini’s and I did a football photo shoot! This is our 3rd annual 49er photo shoot. Technically it is McM’s first photo shoot as well! I hope they grow up to be 49er fans!! I’m a firm believer that Sundays were made for football and have already bought a large shirt to wear for when my belly gets bigger!


We finally had our movie night party! We had a great turn out, about 45 people!!  Below are some pictures, we had: photo booth, candy, popcorn (the girls and I made pink sugar popcorn and blue sugar popcorn, projector set up out back, and of course food and games! Needless to say all my mommy friends love bringing their mini’s to our get events!
      
                                  Genevieve Marie is on the Left, Gianna Valentina is on the right


In case you’re interested here’s a little about me… I’m 29, the oldest of 5 sisters. I have one older biological brother who is pretty awesome (I recently took him to his 1st UFC fight for his 40th birthday) and one biological sister (included in the 5). I was taken in at a very young age by an amazing family who lived across the street. At first we would play together every day and then I would stay the night, eventually they moved away and I moved with them. That is my family whom I love with my heart and soul! I am ever so grateful to my mom and dad for taking me under their wing, no questions asked! I have no idea how they did it, raising 5 girls, I now know kids aren’t cheap and my mom at times worked 3 jobs. I will always admire her for her hard work, dedication and endless love. They’ve never treated me any different from their own kids and always made sure we had everything we needed.  In high school I was on the dance team and the swim team! To this day many don’t know that my sisters and I are not all biologically related. I still keep in contact with my real mother, however it is not frequent.  My biological grandpa on the other hand is my hero. He always told me I could do it and that I’d just have to work for it. He taught me that it wouldn’t always be easy but it will all be worth it. I believe that combined with growing up in low income standards has given me the drive to succeed, and goal oriented mind set I have now. I went on to graduate from UC Davis with a BA in communication and a BS in managerial economics, I worked full time (as a sports statistician & waitress) while double majoring to pay my own way. Over the past 6 years I have worked my way up to financial program manager for an environmental consulting firm. Last year I bought my first house, and still love every day in it! My goal for this year is… yup to help bring life to a loving, caring family! I want everyone to know I really put my all into each goal especially this one, which is the most important yet! Now I don’t want you to think I’m all work and no play. One of my biggest beliefs is that you must live life! Some of my favorite past times are; cuddling with my kids and my dog; watching football; country concerts; wine tasting (don’t worry not when prego); dancing;  lifting weights; going to Apple Hill; buying sparkly things, hanging out with my siblings (we are always laughing at each other); and attending sporting events!

                                                               I'm on the far left 

Well I think that’s good for now XOXO Jenn