Lindsey and Ted's WEDDING!!!

   They're MARRIED!!!!!  It was really a beautiful weekend despite the weather being less than desirable.  It snowed and iced pretty much all day Friday making transporting the bride to all her festivities rather dicey...but we did it!  And the snow was leftover on Saturday and it is going to make for BEAUTIFUL pictures for them, So, first, Friday was the rehearsal...

 

Mason Ready to brave the snow....the beautiful bride in the snow too!!!!!

 

Justin Photobomb...                       Daddy and I......

 

                                Linds with her "bow" bouquet      Mom and Dad and their Girl...

 

Rehearsing!!!!

  

  

  

                                             Sweet Cash!!!

  

 

                     

 Mason and Ted getting the sand ready for sparklers... 

My FAVORITE picture of the weekend!!

   So. we were done rehearsing and all the guys headed to Top Golf...yes, in the snow.  Dad and Mason took off together and I piled the bride up in my car.  2 hours later we made it from Parker to Mesquite for her bridal luncheon...only an hour late!  Our Aunt Jan and Deb put on a beautiful spread for her and it was so nice to get to chat and eat...although everyone left rather early to make their long drives back to their respective hotels and homes to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.

  

  

Pretty Girl!!!!

 

 

  Lindsey went to the hotel with Sherri and her sweet sisters and I trekked home to get ready and get Mason for the rehearsal dinner.  It took about an hour and 10 minutes to get home and my phone died on the way...thus putting my family into a panic but all was well!!!  When I got home I changed quick and Mason and I headed to downtown Plano to Lockhart's for the rehearsal dinner.

  We had never been to Lockhart's before but the food was FANTASTIC!  It was a tight squeeze up there in that little loft area and I was certainly the biggest person there. Ted's family, his mom and aunts, made everything look beautiful!  There was a sweet slideshow and then it was time for everyone to head home and prep for the next day!!!

  

My beautiful Family!!!!

WEDDING DAY!!!!

   The roads were still pretty dicey so the drive to the hotel was interesting.  Mason and I got up early and headed to Costco and grabbed some sandwich trays for everyone to have to eat on during the day.  After I headed to the hotel, dad was coming over to pick him up and they were tasked with getting the flowers from the florist to the venue.  

   When I got to the hotel the team Lindsey hired was already in full swing.  Several people's hair and makeup were already done so I jumped in line behind them.

My robe was slightly tight!!!!

 

    Time was creeping close and it was about time to get ready to head out.  Mason and dad showed up and Mason gave everyone their instructions for how to find their flowers when they got to the venue.  We had time for one more picture before we left...Daddy and his girls!!!

   Mason and I got in our car and mom and dad transported the bride.  We made it to the venue quick this time but it was still slick and icy in a lot of places. We headed to the bride room and Mason went inside to the venue to check it out. 

   From here on out I am picture poor because I had nowhere to hold my phone.  We took pictures out in the snow and they were beautiful but none of us could feel our feet after. Their first look pictures were priceless and after a while it was finally time to head in and line up. All of us bridesmaids were walked in and standing up front and they closed the doors and the music started for Linds and Dad's entrance. It was the song played at my parents wedding 38 years ago and I LOST IT.  Booooo hoooing!  The ceremony was quick and Lindsey and Ted only botched their lines once each!  It was beautiful and then it was time to party!!!!

   The rest of the night was a whirlwind of dancing, toasts, chatting with friends, PHOTO BOOTH (Mason was their best customer), and finally a sparkler exit!  It was a wonderful night and after Mason and dad loaded the car over and over it seemed, we were headed home in the rain.  We went to sleep exhausted but so happy for Lindsey and Ted and excited for their next chapter!

 

  

Snow Storm in Texas

   I spent my first two days of bedrest inside...in bed...with Mason and it was snow storming outside!!!! GISD closed Monday and Tuesday because the weather was so yuck...I would like to say I got some photos but I didn't even think about it.
   We did venture out on Monday to celebrate Justin and Melissa's anniversary. We ate at the Cotton Patch...exciting life we lead!  We sure love Justin and Sissa...they are our family first but truly our best friends too. 

  

  

  

  

   I have Dr. Rhinehart tomorrow and then Lindsey's WEDDING WEEKEND begins Friday!!!  Rehearsal on Friday, bridal luncheon, and Rehearsal dinner...up Saturday for hair and makeup and then the big moment at 4:30!!!  We are looking forward to it but also crossing fingers that this winter weather stays away!!!!

Maternity Leave Here I Come...

   Today is a big day!!!!!  It's my last day of work until Owen and McKenna are born and its sonogram day with Dr. Rhinehart. I spent the day trying to tie up loose ends, get everything ready for my sub, make my desk presentable, and make sure people know where important things are while I'm gone. My boss couldn't have been better about the news I was going on bedrest.  She sent out a sweet email to our staff that just warmed my heart and further made me believe Luna is the right place for me.  1:30 rolled around and I said my good-byes and gave my hugs and I was headed to Rhinehart. 
   When I arrived it wasn't very crowded which was great.  I only waited about 15 minutes and then the nurse came and called me...along with several other ladies.  I remember thinking, wow, they must have just had an influx of techs come off lunch but then I realized they were sending all of us into the same room. I came into the room last and it was 4 recliners with a woman in each chair and the nurses were attaching monitors to everyone's belly.  I was immediately panicking.  I kept asking what was happening and all these women I had never met are just lifting up their shirts and they all seemed clearly aware of what was going on.  Finally, one of them looked at me and said "they are just monitoring your baby for movement...it happens everytime you are here after 32 weeks." They were all 37 weeks or more so we chatted for the 6-7 minutes of monitoring and the nurses came in and started unhooking everyone and I was left there on my own...again, panicking. But the nurse came in and told me they always monitor twins for a little longer because its harder to track 2.  Finally, I was unhooked and in a room. I got the sweetest technician, I have had her before and she is a sweetheart!! This was the first time I was ridiculously uncomfortable on the table...like, I had to stop midway to sit up and breathe because I was getting lightheaded. They both looked wonderful and weighed in at.....4 pounds 9 ounces (Owen) and 4 pounds 6 ounces (McKenna)!!!!  Chunky monkeys!!! Owens head is still large and McKenna's belly is still fat. She also said she could see hair on Owen and then McKenna decided to roll into PERFECT position for her to get some 2D pictures.  She immediately switched wands and started doing close ups of McKenna's face...
                       

Look at that button nose!  Those fat cheeks! Those lips!!!!

   I think she looks like her daddy!!! It was so nice to see her face....I feel like she has always been hiding or facing the wrong way and we have tons of pics of Owen but finally, my baby girl!!! Even the technician kept saying how adorable she was....proud mama moment!!!!  She took a zillion photos of her and recorded the sonogram for me and went to get Rhinehart.  He came in and was wonderful as usual...his first words were "whatcha worried about right now...whats on your mind?"  and I said, "well, paying for two college educations"!!!!  We laughed but I told him that I am not really worried about anything at this point, I'm just anxious. We discussed that I was starting bedrest and he said it was very important for me to really listen to my body and not do anything that my body told me not to.  Especially in regards to my back..that a lot of moms wrench their backs at this time in pregnancy because of not truly understanding what kind of weight they are carrying around.  He also told me they look wonderful and that if something were to happen and I were to go into labor at this point he sees no reason why they would have any long term issues or complications. He said that they have to do three things to determine when they leave the hospital.  They have to be able to regulate their own body temperature, breathe on their own, and know how to suck/eat. He said that body temperature and eating are very size contingent and since I am carrying baby elephants I am already ahead of the curve. (He didn't say the elephant part...that was from their mama!)  He helped me up and he also wants to see me every week from here on out...I made my next appointment and I was out of there! 
   So, I;m officially on bedrest and heading to the doctor weekly now.  On my way home, I stopped at the bank and went in to make a withdrawal. This is my normal bank so the tellers are all familiar with me and the lady helping me asked me when I was due.  I said "I have about 5 more weeks" and she said "you look very large to still have that much time left..." and I said "oh its twins..." and I wanted to follow up with "but thanks for telling me I am the most gigantically, enormous thing you have seen all day...preciate it"...
   33 days.....

When Are you Due...Tomorrow?

    Said the lady to me at the 7-11 as I was trying to get back into my car after stopping to buy ice cream and candy bars. "No...5 more weeks" I replied as she looked on horrified, "but its twins..." and she responded, "ohhhhhhh". Translation....I am HUGE.  
   Anywho, today was 32 week Dr. appointment day with Dr. Richards.  I was very interested to see what he was going to say after my contraction trip to L&D the other day.  My blood pressure was fabulous and no protein in my urine.  I was waiting patiently in the room and as he walked in and looked at me, he said "I think its time to stop working." I was really very shocked but I will not lie...I was relieved as well.  He just said that with my body going into those contractions its telling me to sloooooow down. I mentioned that the only way they really stop is if I will lay down when they hit me.  So, he put me on "modified bedrest" which is code for taking it easy, putting my feet up, and if I start contracting sit down and stop.  He told me that he would like for it to be today but I explained I had several loose ends to tie up and two meetings towards the end of the week so we decided on Monday...that it would be my first day of official bedrest. I went about getting all the paperwork to DeLana and he told me he wants to see me every week from here on out.  
   I will not lie...as I drove away I was worried.  I was relieved because I am tired and the routine of getting up, driving to work, and seeing my groups all day exhausts me but this will be quite a hit for us financially.  I have worked the "maternity leave" plan several different ways on paper and never did I account for being out anything but the day before my csection.  Things have just been going so well I refused to allow myself to go there.  BUT that still hasn't changed.  Things are still going well!  They are growing and healthy and the worst that's happened is that afternoon of contractions that were stopped almost immediately with medication.  The reality of it is though, my body is tired and I need to rest it as much as possible so they can stay put for as long as possible. I have faith that the money will work itself out....So as of February 23rd, my only job is cooking babies until they are born!!! I leave a 32 week belly shot...

                                   

Clearly, I will no longer be wearing stripes around!!!