Our 4th Wedding Anniversary

Fresh strawberry pie to celebrate,
after dinner at "Mama's Meatball" Italian Restaurant on the beach in Oceano, just a short drive from our digs. It was our first time to this little dive; we'd heard good things about their authentic Italian food. Couldn't say if it was really authentic, but it tasted as good as anything we ate in Italy, and we'll definitely be back.

Yes, Jolene needs a bib as her food seems to land on her protruding tummy. When she returned to the table from washing her hands before dinner, Case commented that her tumm arrived several seconds before the rest of her!
Traditionally, the first anniversary gift is paper, second cotton, third leather. At our house, the fourth wedding anniversary netted home electronics. (Hoping to start a trend... -- chk) We got a home theater receiver/amplifier to go with our disc player and (woefully small, but Jolene wouldn't go for bigger -- chk) TV. The Fed Ex man was admiring the receiver when he delivered it to the door, so apparently Case did his usual thorough research before purchasing. (I usually find pretty good deals on higher end equipment, but I haven't a hope of beating Jolene's frugal clothes shopping. Then again, I don't change my computers and other toys as often as Jolene changes her wardrobe. Almost, but not *quite* as often! -- chk)
A very happy husband setting up the new receiver and in command of three remotes! (Three remotes is the bare minimum for any man. -- chk)
Getting the new receiver meant we could move our previous music system -- a pair of iPod speakers -- to the baby room, where the clothes are washed and hung in preparation
and the closet is stocked with >1,000 diapers ready to go (thanks to the generosity of our church family who held a diaper party for Jolene). At 10 diapers per day per baby, that's less than a two month supply! (Egad!!!!! -- chk)

34 Week Ultrasound Update

At today's 34 week ultrasound, based on measurements of the heads and leg bones, the girls are weighing in the 98 percentile for their age of gestation, at approximately 6 lbs 2 oz and 6 lbs 4 oz, with 2-3 weeks still to go! No wonder Jolene's pelvis is aching, that's 12+ pounds of baby...already!

But, thankfully these weights are approximate, maybe the girls are just genetically gifted with Case's large head and Jolene's long legs, and they actually weigh a bit less. That comforting thought makes Jolene's aching pelvis feel a little better...for a second!

All's Well!

33 weeks +, with a month to go

Dr. Lickness, our OB, took a peek at the girls via ultrasound at Mondays appointment. Baby A is still in breech position, while baby B has flipped around with her head pointed downward. Dr. is happy there is plenty of amniotic fluid and all is going smoothly one day at a time. Jolene is sleeping, eating and resting well!

Saturday Night Smoothies with the Wooten Family

Ben and Case whipped up Saturday night smoothies for the family.
Ben's specialty was the real thing -- a tasty treat of creamy mixed fruit of your choice. This was Jolene's favorite as she is a fresh fruit lover!
Case's concoction was a more deadly combination of cream, sugar, Ghirardelli's chocolate, and Irish Cream syrup for the chocolate lovers in the group. (Hey, chocolate's a fruit, isn't it? -- chk) (For Case it is an essential vitamin...vitamin C! --jbk)
Luke hangs out as Heather enjoys her dad's recipe.

Baby Shower for Our Girls

The ladies of the Arroyo Grande Church asked to throw a baby shower to celebrate our little girls pending arrival. (Not that it doesn't look and feel like they're here already -- chk)
They asked what we needed and Jolene's first thought was lots and lots of diapers. So, the church members stocked us up. We received 1,051 diapers, enough for about two months (or 5 days, more likely -- chk) and won't have to run out to buy diapers at a moment's notice. Thank you everyone!

This group of ladies represents the loving church family that has adopted us into their lives over the last year.
A matching pair of cute jammies, very useful!
Terri graciously played assistant, doing the heavy lifting and assisting so Jolene wouldn't have any abdominal straining, per doctor's orders. (Belly laughs don't count? -- chk) Terri and Steve are parents of 10-year-old twin boys, and so have been a good source of support, understanding, and tips on raising twins.
Lots of pink wrapping and many gifts of diapers and other useful baby paraphernalia.
Mary hosted the shower in her home with assistance from Kari and Bonnie who brought cake and fruit salad.
Anne lovingly hand knitted two baby blankets for the twins.
Nancy, Norma Jean, Rhonda, Michelle, Doris, Carol and Lynda looking on.
Two matching baby bath robes and wash mitts to get the girls clean and keep them warm at bath time!

Many thanks to the Arroyo Grande church for their loving support and generosity as we anticipate the babies' arrival. Along with a special thanks to Jill for taking pictures!

Jolene's Mom Visits Arroyo Grande from Sacramento, CA

While Case took a trip to visit family in Walla Walla, WA before the babies arrive, Jolene's mom Cheryl came to visit from Sacramento area and treat Jolene to some special TLC and extra pampering, as well as helping prepare for the babies arrival. Along with being chauffeur, driving around town so Jolene could remain reclining in the passengers seat, mom shopped for the remaining odds and ends we needed for babies, while Jolene remained reclining in the car. With permission, mom even brought items out to the car for Jolene's inspection before purchase.
Besides being certain Jolene and the babies were being well fed and cared for, mom, an expert at following detailed directions, got ambitious and began assembling the babies bouncy seats with great success.
Then mom moved on to assembling the stroller. We were a bit disappointed with the stroller, and upon taking it back to the store discovered we were attempting to attach the car seats to the stroller facing the wrong direction! Problem solved we left the store much happier with the product.

Jolene 32 weeks pregnant

Thanks mom for everything, the food, running around the house to get things for me so I could remain resting, errand running, shopping, driving, assembling baby items and everything else you did to provide TLC for me and your grand-daughters-to-be!

Ultrasound Update

From yesterdays ultrasound Doctors say the babies are growing well and describe them as large for their age. This is good news as larger babies do better if they happen to arrive a little early. I am now at 31 weeks one day, and the babies weigh approximately 4lbs and 4lbs 6oz. Currently they are both in the breech position, but Doctors say baby A could maybe still turn around, and at the same time they are beginning to talk about a c-section. We'll wait and see!

Week 30 of Pregnancy

First toys for our girls, gifts from friends who came for breakfast today.
I love these really cool wood puzzles from Costa Rica.
Here is the belly, in all its glory, at 30 weeks. So far no stretch marks, at least from Jolene's vantage point above.
Most times, however, the tum and the twins are more modest, and stay covered in public. They say black clothes are slimming...(The pink orchids are a Valentine's gift from Case to Jolene.)

Valentines Run, Montana de Oro State Park, San Luis Obispo County

Case and I got up bright and early Valentines morning for Case to participate in a trail run at Montana de Oro State Park along the San Luis Obispo Coast. Events included a wide range of distances from 8k to 50k.
Case decided to participate in the 8k event. (ck: No one who knows me will be surprised; I went for the 8k only because there was no 1k scooter riding event. Might not have gotten up the energy to do the 8k, but some of my staff invited me to join them. And then they went and slept in, claiming sore muscles and tendons. Slackers!!!!). Waiting for the start, he keeps Jolene company while he keeps warm in the car.
While Case ran, Jolene enjoyed the beautiful outdoor sights, smells, and sounds while reclining (per dr's instructions) in the car. It's nice to get out!
Along the coast...

the uphill...
a self portrait on the fly...
some downhill....
and the finish area. Nice run! Next time maybe Jolene will be able to participate too!
(ck: You notice how virtually all the photos are of the backs of all the people ahead of me? I shot some good ones over my shoulder, showing the empty trail behind me, but Jolene tactfully left those out! I could have shot a few of the 5% body fat 50k contestants; they were amazing! And once the starter pistol sounded, they were also gone!)

Jolene's portion of Valentines day included a tour of the maternity ward, OR, and NICU of Sierra Vista Hospital in San Luis Obispo where the twins will be born .... along with a stop at Harry and David's for tasty treats including Royal Riviera pears. While being pregnant Jolene's fresh fruit cravings have been stronger than ever!

Exploring Carrizo Plain, Middle-of-no-where, California

Every wonder what lies between the central California coast and Bakersfield, California? Case decided to take us exploring to find out, and following the last few weeks of on and off rain the rolling hills and plains are beautiful bright and fresh winter/spring green.
Just shy of 29 weeks into pregnancy and following Dr. orders to remain in the recline position as much as possible, Jolene was happy to get out of the house and go exploring, all be it mostly in the recline position!
Time stands still at this old 76 Union station.
But this was what Case was really looking for, out-in-the-middle-of-no-where muddy dirt roads! After following a few failed GPS routes that ended up blocked by gates or no trespassing signs, we came across Carrizo Plain, a flat expanse between the central California Coast hills and the rolling hills that boarder the central California valley, and miles and miles of muddy dirt roads, soul refreshing vast expanse and solitude.
The GPS insists we turn right on Soda Lake Road, after inspecting the deep carved ravine that may have once been Soda Lake Road, we decided maybe not!
The ever changing sky filled with clouds with occasional rain showers scattered across the plain. The rain left the road passable but some what slippery, we guessed the dirt road had a high clay content.
Sun spots poke through the low hanging rain clouds and brighten the plain.
After 40+ miles of clay mud roads our trusty 4-wheel-drive Audi needs a bath.
Two times through the local car wash left a lot of mud in the car wash, but didn't remove the clumps of clay stuck to the doors and wheel wells.
Sunday found Case washing the car for the third time, bright and sparkling inside and out! Thanks Babe, for fun times and a very clean car!

Ultrasound update

Good news, according to Dr. Cedars who did my ultrasound this morning, our baby girls are "big" and similar in size, at 2 lbs 8 oz and 2 lbs 11 oz. I am now at 27 weeks with a mental goal of reaching 38 weeks or the middle of April.

Baby Pictures

We have a few pictures from the ultrasound earlier this month.
Above are two feet pointing in opposite directions as twin A and twin B seem snuggled together in their close quarters!
Twin B was feeling photogenic while A was turned with the back of her head to the camera.

Our Nursery

I am feeling lots of kicks and strong movement in my 26th week of pregnancy.
Our nursery came together quite nicely with Case's efforts in assembling the nursery furniture with Grandpa Ivan's assistance at Christmas time, and then Case gave the finishing touch by recently hanging the curtains and quilt.
These warm Canadian booties are a gift from my friend Heather.
This comfortable rocker-swivel-recliner has already come in handy as some nights I spend part of the night sleeping here, as I search around for a comfortable sleep position. Although people tell me my tummy looks small, as they expect me to look much bigger with twins, but no worries I still have three months to go!
The nursery theme is barnyard friends with lots of sheep, ducks and bunnies! The nursery mascot is Heineken, a very cute stuffed sheep we adopted while visiting Holland in 2007. (He sits by the left side of the crib below.)
And yes, we only have one crib set up for our twin girls. We hear while they are small they might like sleeping close to each other. Spending time in the nursery, it seems a little more real that we have two little girls on the way!

Doc Bernstein's Ice Cream Lab, Arroyo Grande, CA

The best ice cream in town is served up at Doc Bernstein's....
and the flavors they create are well worth a few samples before making a selection!
After a few samples, Lauren chooses Birthday Cake ice cream.