birthday

today... is my birthday.

[ i'm secretly hoping it's my boys birthday too? ]

come on boys! your mama and papa are ready to meet you!

Brady and I went hiking today, and he also made me a lovely birthday cake.

it was a lovely day.

I wanted Brady to take a photo of the trail that we were on. So steep. So proud.  

Oh, and last week the doulas (http://motherrising.org) came over and did a belly cast. It was so much fun. And helped me see that my huge stretching and lopsided belly was indeed beautiful. 

Sarah and Rachel of Mothers Rising

Brady removing the cast. I'll just have to convince him that we can hang it on the wall... 

34 week milestone!!!

We made it to 34 weeks! This is apparently huge for the boys' development... They are no longer considered just "preterm", now they are considered "late preterm"--- which lowers the risk of some complications associated with preterm.

We are feeling good! and can't believe we will be meeting our sons so soon! :) We have narrowed down our name choices, but will wait until we meet them to officially name them.....

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for us!

Here is a photo for you! (caution: bare belly!!!)

.... eventful Tuesday

I went in for my regularly scheduled OB appointment this afternoon, and at first found out some great news:

Baby A weighs a whopping 5 lbs! 

Baby B is not far behind at 4.3 lbs.

They are doing wonderful for weight, and movement/heartbeat/position looked great (both head down)

then I heard some not so exciting news: 

They wanted to send me to Labor and Delivery at the hospital to be monitored. Since last week, I had progressed from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm in dilation, and from 50% to 80% effacement.. and was experiencing somewhat regular contractions (although, for me, they seemed like fairly normal Braxton Hicks)-- they weren't painful, but they were happening every 4-8 minutes or so. 

So I get in my car, call Brady to tell him I'm headed to the hospital (he was working in Milton) and drive to L&D at the hospital. 

(Since we share a car, Brady really had no way to leave right away.... but ended up finding a ride an hour or so later) 

They gave me a steroid injection to help mature the boys' lungs if they are born early (before 34-36 weeks or so). And monitored babies and my contractions. My midwife was there and is pretty much amazing, so wonderful, personal, and reassuring. My nurse was wonderful as well, and my wonderful view that looked out over the Adirondack mountains wasn't so bad either. :)

So after lots of monitoring, IV's, a shot, and more monitoring, they decided that I wasn't progressing any more, and decided to let me go home (with strong "take it easy!" recommendation). 

I'll go back for another shot tomorrow, and will go back to my midwife on Friday to check on things. 

All that to say..... It was quite the eventful and surprising afternoon. But through it all, I felt really peaceful. I wasn't stressed or worried, and I told myself- either way, we are going to be ok. The great staff there, and the lovely view of the mountains probably helped that feeling as well...

As Brady and I left the hospital, we talked about how we do need to prepare for perhaps an early arrival of the twins--- My midwife says: let's shoot for August 7th. 

We talked about preparing mentally/emotionally but also physically and practically. I feel like there is so much left to do--- baby clothes to wash, laundry to be done, meals to make and freeze, errands to run, a house to clean, etc, etc. It will be hard to take it easy, especially when I'm here all day long! 

But, we are well. And excited & nervous as we get closer and closer to meeting our baby boys. It still feels so surreal. 

thank you for friends and family for loving and praying for us during these times! It feels good to know that we are so loved and supported. 

love

Callie

ps- here is the latest belly photo: 32 weeks, 5 days :)

No offense, but we have been so glad to not be in the midwest this week!! :)

I couldn't believe the tempeatures that you all were having. It made me really appreciate the weather up here. 

It's been pretty much perfect.... lows at night in the 50's and then days getting to the mid-70's- occasionally into the mid-80's on warmer days. They do say that they get about 4-5 days of 90 degree heat, but it's pretty rare to have any after that. 

Which all that goes to say-- perfect pregnancy weather, eh??? :)

I have absolutely loved being pregnant, but it has been hard not to want to go hiking and camping and kayaking up here.... but next summer Brady and I are determined to take our boys with us in all our outdoor activities. (We may be a bit idealist?)

I am seeing my OB and/or my midwife once a week now. I have been really happy so far with the care I have received, although as we get closer and closer to meeting the boys, I have gotten a little more anxious about the labor/birth process. 

My OB today was very reassuring saying that as far as she could see, she doesn't know why I wouldn't go to at least 37-38 weeks! Which is wonderful! And means the babies would have a better chance at being healthy and avoiding the NICU. I was concerned since I was already dilated 1.5 cm and 50% effaced, but she was very reassuring that she would have been surprised if I wasn't having some of those changes--- the boys are growing and my belly is stretched further than a full term belly at this point. She didn't restrict any of my activity really-- except no power walking/hikes, no jumping/jogging. Which believe me.. Jumping and Jogging are the LAST things I would even WANT to do right now :)

Other than that, we are filling our time by enjoying all the quiet, peaceful times of just being with each other. Cooking together, sitting on the porch, playing scrabble, talking, dreaming, and planning.... It's been really nice. 

We have been visiting churches, trying to find one that we can visualize ourselves in, and our boys. It's been a bit more challenging. I really like a Presbyterian one we attended a few weeks ago, I felt immediately cared for. It may have been because everyone in the congregation was over the age of 60. :) Brady liked it as well, but also wants to be able to connect with people of different ages, and especially some that we can connect, relate and identify with. So the search goes on.... 

Here is a recent photo of part of the nursery! And another photo of me last week (so I am even BIGGER now) :) 

how did we live without water???

I must say, it is so wonderful to live next to a body of water. (and mountains too, of course) But, right now. being very pregnant, water is pretty much the best thing in the world. 

Brady and I met some friends at the beach on Friday evening, and then immediately made plans to go back the next afternoon. Yes, I even donned a lovely maternity swim suit. :)

We went to Leddy Beach on Lake Champlain-- about a 5-7 minute drive from our apartment. This is one of the quieter beaches in the Burlington area, and there aren't usually more than 20 people on a few hundred yard stretch of soft, sandy beach. 

What I love about this (and what I'm sure will be wonderful with kids!), is that the water is pretty shallow. You can wade out about an hundred yards and the amazing refreshing, perfect temperature, water will only barely come up over your knees-- disregarding the waves, of course. 

It's lovely. I ended up just sitting down in the water, and I think the boys really liked it. They were squirming around a bit. 

It was so relaxing.... it's hard not to want to go every day. 

we can't wait to bring the boys here!

settling in... ( finally a new post! )

So, we are officially Vermonters. Brady picked up our new license plates and we have been driving around no longer looking like tourists (but maybe still driving like them).

My parents drove up with us, and were incredibly helpful in our unpacking process, as well as our loading and unloading of craigslist purchases once we made it up here.. a HUGE thanks to them- we seriously couldn't have done it without them.

We were able to find most of what we needed on craigslist... and a few things were loaned to us by Ivan and Rose, our new Burlington friends who have been so wonderful and generous- and have pretty much adopted us. They are just wonderful.

It has been fun to actually get to visualize the boys room and to actually be setting up a crib, etc. It has definitely made this whole "having babies" process seem so much more real and very, very close. As we arranged our new soft rug in the living room, Brady and I can't help but visualize two little boys crawling all over it.

Brady started working in the clinic this week! He officially saw his first patient as a doctor! :) I'll let him tell you more about that.... But it has been great to see how much fun he has been having and to see him get to practice and be passionate about what he is doing. I know that this first rotation may be one of the lightest he will have overall, so I am also trying to soak up as much of this simple, quiet, rich time that we are able to have in the evenings and the weekends.

I have been feeling great still! I've been pretty relieved that I haven't had to be on any type of bedrest or have had any major complications. Although the past few weeks, I have really slowed down. My midwife told me last week that I was 50% effaced (google it if you aren't sure) :)... and recommended me to not exercise and take it easy.  It has been hard to limit myself in physical activity... especially when I want to check out all the trails, join a yoga class. and run around and explore our new city. 

I am loving the cool mornings and evenings... and we've had some days that stay around 70 degrees. This is my kind of weather!! 

We are already being stretched in lots of new ways- moving and transitioning (especially across country) has been tough financially, as well as just getting used to a new area and making new friends. But I am so confident that this will be such a good experience and adventure for us-- and teach us so much: about what is really important in life, living simply, and to really connect and deepen our marriage.

 

As far as photos.... I promise I will get some new ones downloaded!

Much love to you all!

Callie

our first burlington sunset.....

the journey begins...

Callie and I are packing up now, and we are getting ready to begin the journey to VT :)

I just got back from fishing in Canada with my good friend Jonathan Goebel, my uncles Andy Didion and David Athas, my father, and my brother. We had a great time, caught some delicious fish, drank some good Canadian beer, and were blessed by Canadian hospitality (especially at the US/Canada border...little advice, no guns in Canada :)

I caught a nice 28" northern pike up there, but our camera's memory card is not currently working so I can't post a picture (does this qualify as a fish story?).

To top off the trip, the last day there I was chopping wood and a chunk of the wedge I was using broke off as I hit it with the sledge, and lodged deep in my big toe. 

Dr. Dave (aka Dr. Undies) was there to remove it and bandage my toe. Still waiting for that bill!

I am very proud of my lovely wife as she continues to get more beautiful every day of pregnancy. Our twin boys are doing great, and a recent ultrasound let us see how much more they have grown. They are kicking more and more, and we try to guess daily where they are positioned inside of her. This is so very exciting!!! We are anticipating their arrival with much joy!

OK, that about does it. Hope you all are doing well!

~bpd

vacation!

we have been having the greatest time in Wisconsin.... 

it's like we are on vacation, so we are soaking it up-- since it may be the last vacation we will have in awhile!

this past weekend, we went with Brad and Ellen to the Green County Farm Breakfast in New Glarus, WI. 

It was quite the event, and we had a great time. All the farms in the county come together and host a breakfast for the public using their local meat and eggs. 

Callie's favorite part: the baby lambs and the goats.

 .....Brady's favorite part: the tractors.( following the sausage, of course)

When we have been out and about, I am now hearing a lot of " You must be due soon!" "Wow, you don't have much longer, do you?" 

I have to laugh and say, "Well there's 2 in there! So, no, not yet... we have quite a while" :)

We went to the zoo today, and Brady took a photo of me.....

Brady laughs at me when I look back at them and exclaim " Ah, man, my belly doesn't look so big in these photos!"  (I think I just feel 2x as large as I look)

I love the friendliness of the Midwest... and as usual, being pregnant makes you instant friends with a lot of people. This may be my secret weapon in friend-making when we get to Vermont. ;)

Oh, and I took a photo of Brady for good measure. He loves the zoo!! 

hello family & friends!

after much thought and deliberation, we have decided to do a blog to keep you up to date with our family as we transition into a very different [and very far away] next season in life.

we are headed to Burlington, Vermont in a few weeks for Brady to start his 3 year residency program in family medicine. We'll be living in a close neighborhood called Winooski-- the top photo on the blog is the outside of our flat. Here is another photo of our new home (we'll live on the first floor.. & we'll post more photos when we move in and get settled) 





 
























our new address: 
{40 Platt Street
Winooski, Vermont 05404}




right now, we are relaxing in Wisconsin with his family for the next few weeks... and will be trying to figure out this blog thing. :)

as of a few days ago, I am 25 weeks along with twin boys [oh my!] and we will definitely keep you up to date with photos of the very expanding belly and a ridiculous amount of baby pictures when the boys arrive.... [you know how that goes..]. once they get uploaded, I will share them on here! 


we are still feeling the excitement of everything that has happened in the past few months, but at the same time are still feeling sad to leave the midwest and to leave friends and family.... not to mention that this move would not have been possible without the support of our family and friends. whether it was helping us pack, throwing us baby showers, and simply being with us, we cannot express how grateful and blessed we feel. 


{so thank you!} 






here's to the next part of our journey.

love

callie