Single VS. Double

     As the end of the 3rd month is quickly approaching (Sunday), I find myself comparing how I feel with twins to my pregnancy with Madison.  Everyone always talks about how each of their pregnancies were so different, but so far things have been relatively similar.  For instance, I have been extremely blessed, in both pregnancies, with the absence of morning sickness!  I did vomit right after I had Madison, in my mom's face (sorry mom), but it was because the nurse gave me sierra mist and told me it was sprite...sierra mist would make me vomit on any given day, pregnant or not. 
     This pregnancy has been "easier" from the beginning.  I was so paranoid (thanks WebMD) whenever I felt any sort of pain with Madison.  I diagnosed myself with an ectopic pregnancy within the first month of pregnancy because of sharp abdominal pains.  Obviously, that wasn't the case...it was more like growing pains...haha.  Because I was unsure of my LMP, we had an ultrasound to determine our due date and were able to see the twins (surprise!) at week 6.  We also had an ultrasound at week 8 and have been advised that there will be MANY more to come. Being able to see both babies makes it much easier to worry less.  However, I tend to read to many blogs about multiple pregnancies and doctor's posts about how common "disappearing twin syndrome" is early on in pregnancy.  In fact, the ultrasound tech informed us at 6 weeks that we might want to wait to tell everyone it was twins until week 12, because we'd have to "un-tell" everyone if something happened and that might be more emotional.  I told the world I was pregnant with Madison as soon as I found out and we did the same with the twins...and I wouldn't change it.  I don't imagine it would hurt any less if I had fewer people to tell about a loss and besides...I'm not very good at being secretive.  Also, if you've seen me recently, it would have been REALLY hard to wait until week 12 to tell people I was pregnant without everyone questioning my protruding stomach.  In addition, at 3 months, I look like I looked at 6 months pregnant with Madison.  That's not much of an exaggeration. 
    Everything seems to be accelerated.  I used to go to sleep around midnight and wake up at 6 and be fully rested for the entire day.  Now, I fall asleep around 8pm (right after I put Madison to bed) and sleep til midnight, wake up to use the restroom, go back to sleep until 3am, wake up to use the restroom, sleep untiil 6am and then look forward to bedtime again!  It is quite pathetic.  I wasn't that tired with Madison until month 7!  I'm sure some of that has to do with the fact that I am 6 years older and also have a kindergartener to entertain while growing babies 2 and 3. 
    Keith and I are very excited...he has the whole supportive, expectant father role down.  He manages to keep me fed, watered, stuffed with prenatal vitamins, and humidified (silly swollen nasal passages!) as well as doing laundry, dishes, and ensuring that I don't try to do too much.  Although, that is my least favorite part, because he tends to get angry if I lift things...I can't wait to see his face when he's holding two newborns...I'm sure I'll probably have to wait until they wake him up after he passes out in the delivery room, but we'll see! 
    

I am now unofficially, officially Rebecca Ann Staats.  It is only unofficial until we get our copy of the actual marriage license so I can apply for a new Social Security Card and get the ball rolling with all the other name changing fun I get to partake in!  We thoroughly enjoyed our simple, stress-free wedding at our church surrounded by family and a couple of our close friends.  It was exactly what we wanted.  Luckily, my immune system held off the plague that took over with full force on Monday!  Luckily again, I was able to get an antibiotic from my doctor quickly.  They also did an ultrasound to make sure both babies were still doing okay.  It amazes me how much they changed in two weeks!  It also amazes me that I am only in the 9th week and I am already SO tired and SO enlarged (I've been told to quit saying I'm getting fat lol).  I try not to imagine myself 4 or 5 months from now...the mental image is kind of disturbing.  Oh well, here's to trusting that everything will happen exactly as God has planned. 

     In 5 days I will officially become Rebecca Staats.  I am extremely excited about sharing the rest of my life with Keith.  In fact, I am so thrilled, I won't complain about the insane amount of work it is to change ones' name on everything from payroll at work to utility bills.  Oh, and I won't even begin to describe how excited I am to wait in line at the BMV for a new driver's license. 
     In all seriousness, I am thrilled that we decided together to say "I do" without all the stress and money involved in a traditional wedding ceremony.  Instead, we are getting married in our church in front of our family and just a couple of our closest friends.  In fact, I kind of like this arrangement better than our original "fly to Vegas" idea that was thrown out the window when I found out I wouldn't be able to fly over Spring Break. 
     So, the countdown begins...