Dear "Anonymous" - This Post Is For You....

Let me start out by saying I know I opened the door by asking what people thought about my last post. Now let me tell you what I think of you.

First, it must be nice to hide behind a shield of anonymity. If you really want to say something, why don't you create a profile so people can find out who you are? At least I have the guts to put my feelings out there with an identity.

To answer your multiple comments, perhaps I need to describe Kobe in a little more detail.

From the time he was a puppy, he has been difficult. And by difficult I mean, destructive and unbalanced.

And before you start going down the road of training and patience, we've been there and we've done that. I'm guessing you are probably one of those "We Must Save All The Animals" people and that's fine. It's your right and your opinion.

But, how dare you accuse me of being an unloving pet owner. We cared for both Kobe and Kaly for the last 11 years. And, we cared for them equally.

Over the last 11 years, Kobe has managed to destroy furniture, carpet, doors, windows and walls.

We fixed it all without saying a word.

3 years ago, he got bloat. Who do you think identified it and insisted we take him to the vet? Yes, that's right. It was me.

Who paid $7,000 and visited him in the ICU every day for a week? Yes, that's right. It was me.

Who feeds him every morning and takes him for walks? Yes, that's right. It's me.

He is my husband's dog and I do feel differently about him than I did Kaly. That is true. My feelings didn't happen overnight. It has been slowly over time and as a result of constant destruction.

These recent incidents of peeing and pooping started over a year ago. I'm not an idiot - I understand babies pee and poop. If you are going to leave comments, at least make a comment that isn't condescending.

I'm tired of coming home every day to my house smelling like a toilet.
I'm tired of waking up in the middle of the night 2-3 times/week to the smell of poop in the house.
I'm tired of watching him not be able to hold or completely empty his bladder.
I'm tired of watching him struggle to climb the front steps because he can barely walk due to arthritis.

It's not that I don't love Kobe. I do. We've had him for 11 years. But, I am at the point that something has got to give.

We're expecting twins. My priority will be my children. Over anything else.

We can't afford to spend $6,500 on new carpet again. He caused us to do that 4 years ago.

So, before you start making judgments about people based on one posting, perhaps you should sit back and realize that you don't know the person who is writing. You know absolutely nothing about me.

Since you seem to have so much to say, why don't you start your own blog? I'd love to leave some comments of my own.

Adventures with Kobe

For those who have followed my blog, you probably remember me mentioning our 2 dogs and cat.

We lost Kaly in January but we still have her older brother, Kobe. Kobe is my husband's dog. Plain and simple. I tolerate Kobe. I can describe him in one word: neurotic.

He's a good dog but I don't think he was the brighest dog in the pack. At his prime, he was 118 lbs and a good looking dog. But, if a thunderstorm comes through, he runs around the house like a 5 lb. wussy. The cat just looks at him like, "Dude, pull yourself together".

An example: A thunderstorm came through one afternoon when we were at work. Kobe apparently felt the need to get into the guest room even though the door was shut. So, he tried to dig his way under the door. $7,000 later, we have new carpeting in the house.

Are you getting the picture? He's an asshole.

He's now 11 and near the end of his lifespan. Over the last year, we've been dealing with his inability to hold his bowels. He'll poop in his sleep or when he gets excited or barks. Thank God it hasn't been "messy" and you can pick it up and move on.

But, still. It's GROSS.

Over the last few months, he has also started to leak urine. He's not leaving puddles in the house or completely emptying his bladder. It's more of a drip. Which causes him to constantly lick himself.

GROSS and ANNOYING.

So now I've set the stage to tell you about our trip to the vet last week.

It was just a check-up to get his medications filled - easy, peasy, right?

We walked into the office and there was a lady with her dog at the counter so Todd took Kobe and stood to the side of the front door. Kobe is pretty good with other dogs (plus, he's so damn old, he probably couldn't see him). Kobe decided to lay down and we stood there waiting to check in.

After a few minutes, Todd looks at me and says, "Kobe is pooping". Greeeaaaattt.

Trying to be discreet, Todd hands me the leash and heads to the public bathroom at the end of the lobby to get some paper towels. He cleans it up and heads back toward the bathroom.

We got the mess but not the smell. So, now the entire lobby smells like poop.

Meanwhile, one of the techs comes out and wants to weigh Kobe. I get him up and we start heading toward the end of the lobby where the scale is. Kobe loses his footing on the tile and takes a header. The tech tries to help him up by lifting his back legs and presses on his bladder.

Kobe starts peeing everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE.

So, I'm standing there in a puddle of pee and we're trying to get him up and I see Todd out of the corner of my eye.

He's poking his head out from the bathroom.

He mouths, "I think I overflowed the toilet".

Could this get any more embarrassing?

I looked down at his feet and I see water starting to come out into the hallway.

Yep, he overflowed the toilet. He put the poop AND the paper towels down the toilet.

At this point, the tech is so focused on trying to get Kobe up that she doesn't see what's going on.

I looked at Todd with my "Fix it!" face and he says, "I tried".

He comes out of the bathroom and walks over to us and says, "Um, there's a problem in the bathroom".

Of course the entire staff was very nice about the whole thing and thank god they know us. If it were our first time there, I don't think we would've gone back.

Anyway, we got more meds for Kobe but I'm not sure it's helping that much. I basically told Todd that I won't put up with it when the babies come. So, Kobe has about 3 months left.

That may sound mean to some but I've been more than tolerant with that dog over the last 11 years and I can't have a dog peeing and pooping in the house with 2 babies. Todd isn't ready to let him go yet. In Todd's mind, he's still able to go for very short walks, he still eats and he can still climb the stairs so he has quality of life.

I understand that but what about our quality of life? We've been dealing with this problem for over a year and it's not going to get any better.

I'm hoping that we'll have some divine intervention and Kobe will go naturally so we won't have to make that decision. But, I'm prepared to if he's still here in October. He's had a good life with us.

What would you do? Am I being heartless?

Twins Gender Reveal!

Meet our son, Christopher Todd:



And our daughter, Kendall Marie:



We are absolutely thrilled!

Today's ultrasound went great and both babies looked good. All measurements were right on track. My cervix is long and closed. It didn't even budge when the sonographer pressed on my abdomen - a good sign! The doctor said he didn't think I'd have any problems with my cervix. Phew!

He said my only concern from now on will be pre-term labor (which I knew). I'll continue to get sonograms every 4 weeks until I'm 32 weeks and then they will start to see me weekly (assuming everything stays on track and I don't develop any complications). I will also continue to see my regular OB office to continue monitoring of blood and urine.

As soon as we got home, I told Todd that we had to go buy some outfits! I know we'll get plenty of clothes but I really needed to do something to celebrate. We've both been on cloud nine since we found out.

20 Weeks and Ultrasound Eve!

I've hit the official "full-term" half-way point! How do I feel?

Relieved, cautious, reserved, excited, anxious, nervous....

Enough adjectives for you?

I can't believe how quickly the last 5 months have gone. And, more surprisingly, that I only have 3 (maybe 4) months left! I am so thankful that I haven't had any issues thus far but I know things can change in an instant so I'm careful not to count my blessings too often.

My 20-week ultrasound is scheduled for tomorrow at 2:00 pm. I know that it will be quite extensive and I'm so looking forward to it. I haven't seen the kids since I was 12 weeks and I know I'm going to be amazed at how much they've grown. God, I sound like a mother already!

This will be my first appointment with the perinatalogist's office and I really hope I like them. I have a friend who was referred to them with her pregnancy and she didn't have very nice things to say. I know everyone's view is different so I'm hoping I have a higher patience level than she did. I'd hate to be "stuck" with a doctor's office that I hate for the next few months.

I'm feeling the babies move every day now. Baby A is still the more active one or at least the one that I feel most often. He/she kicked the other night and I actually felt it on the outside - how cool is that?! They both get really excited after I eat so I either eat kick ass food or they take after their mommy and just love to eat. Feeling them move never gets old. It's exciting every time.

I'll make sure I post after my appointment tomorrow to announce the sexes. Mama says, "You babies better cooperate"!

Perinatalogist - Here We Come!

I had an appointment with my regular OB office this morning and I've officially been handed off to a perinatologist.

I knew it was coming but it still strikes that moment of fear... Is something wrong?

My blood pressure was normal at 120/78 and no protein or sugar in the ole urine so that's all excellent. Both heart beats were strong but he didn't tell me what they were this time.

I saw a different doctor in the practice and it was my first time with him. He's a man of few words.

I asked if I should be concerned about an incompetent cervix and he didn't seem concerned. He said most are caused by an anatomical defect with the mother - either because of previous D&C or abortion or a cervical biopsy. He said carrying twins doesn't necessarily increase the risk.

He went right into, "Are you seeing any specialists yet?". And then proceeded to tell me he thinks I'll feel better seeing a specialist.

Feel better?!

Is there something noted in my chart?

I'm recalling an episode of Seinfeld when Elaine was classified as a "difficult patient".

Thank God I knew it was normal to be referred or else I think I would've freaked out.

So, I have my first appointment next week on the 9th and that's when I'll find out the sexes (I hope!).

I do feel better knowing that I'll be seeing a group of doctor's who specialize in high risk pregnancies. And, the even better news?

I get to have sonograms every 4 weeks so I get to see the babies more often!

Info on Nursery Stuff

I had a few questions regarding some of the stuff I posted for the nursery:

* The unisex bedding (picture #3) is called Circle Time Blue by Alli Taylor. I found it at Babies R Us.

* The rocker is from Walmart but I'm not sure if it's still available. It was one of the cheapest upholstered rockers I could find and comes in 2 pieces. The chair is unupholstered around $160 and then you buy the slip cover for another $60-some. It looks like the slip covers are currently unavailable on-line so I'm not sure if they will be stocked again or not? I might have to revert to Plan B.

Since I'm officially 18 weeks today, here's a quick update:

How far along? 18 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Between 8-10 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes
Sleep: Pretty good - still waking up every few hours with hips/arms/shoulders asleep from being in the same position
Best moment this week: No calls to the on-call doctor!
Movement: Feeling both a few times per day now. I do have a funny story. Sunday was my chore day and I vacuumed the entire house (don't worry, hubby carried it from one floor to the other). Every time I turned on the vacuum, Baby B went nuts. I joked with Todd that it must be a boy because it hates the vacuum.
Food cravings: Still lovin' that pasta!
Gender: Still thinking a boy/girl but we'll know on July 8th!
Labor Signs: No, thank God.
Belly Button in or out? I just looked and it's sort half and half. Rut roh!
What I miss: I really don't miss a thing.
What I am looking forward to: Getting to work on the nursery and my baby shower
Weekly Wisdom: Take it easy and rest as often as you need to.
Milestones: Since twins typically come between 35-37 weeks, I've officially hit the 1/2 way mark!

Nursery Ideas & Belly Pic

I've mentioned before that I love to decorate and that my obsessive-compulsive self has already designed the nursery for any possible combination that may be growing in my belly.

Here's a preview. The background on each is the paint color:

Twin Boys
Theme: Vintage Baseball



Twin Girls
Theme: French Chic



Boy/Girl
Theme: Chocolate Brown/Blue



I'm still finalizing some of the details like hampers, lamps, etc. I'm happy with what I have so far.

Now, I just need to know which direction to go!

It's 18-week Eve so I thought I'd go ahead and post a belly pic. First of all, I swear I own more than the striped shirt I'm wearing. I think I was wearing that same shirt a few weeks ago in a belly pic.

I'm also including an actual belly shot. My apologies ahead of time if I make anyone sick or cause you to go blind.