Pop went my belly!!!

This is my 22 week baby bump belly shot.  My belly has officially "POPPED".  I can hardly believe that today marks exactly 4 months until my due date.  I am hoping and praying I can keep these precious little babies in my belly for as long as possible.  I want them to grow big, healthy, and as strong possible to eliminate too much time spent in the hospital.
James and I are SUPER excited about our upcoming doctor appointment this Monday, March 5th.  It seems like it has been forever since we got to look at our girls!!!  I will post more ultrasound pictures as soon as I get them.  Wahoo!!
My latest baby related project is finishing up my registries at several different locations (to give people options) and then it will be on to working on painting, decorating and setting up the nursery.  Thank goodness for amazing friends and family that have stepped up and volunteered their time to help us with this.  There is no way James and I could do that on our own.  I can hardly wait to be able to post pictures of what the finished room looks like!!

Think Pink...

James and I are thrilled to announce that we are having two GIRLS!!!!  It was so very hard to keep this secret but the cat is finally out of the bag.  Our next task is to think of names.  We have a few "favorites" chosen but nothing for sure yet.
My next doctor appointment is in the beginning of March.  I can hardly wait to go so I can see our precious little angels.  It is amazing how quickly they are growing and how quickly my belly is growing too.  My students love touching and rubbing the belly.  I think it is very sweet.  Believe it or not I actually love people touching the belly, I think it is super fun.
Now that James and I know the genders of the babies we have begun the daunting task of registering.  After a rocky start (I seriously know nothing about baby things) I think we are on our way.  I have gotten some great advice from friends and family members.  The registry lists are slowly growing but I am okay with that.  As they say, "Rome was not built over night!"
I will be adding a 22 week belly shot this weekend.  I think you will all be amazed to see how quickly I am growing.  It is super fun and I am loving every single moment of being a pregnant lady.

Half Way There...

Baby A is on top sucking its thumb and Baby B is below

I am 20 weeks and half way to the finish line. Wahoo!!!  I am so happy to say that I am feeling great.  I am gaining more energy and now that I am no longer sick, things are really looking up.  I told a friend the other day at church, "I can really do this pregnancy thing!"  For awhile there I did not think I would ever feel "normal" again, not that I am "normal", but who really is. :o)
I am most thrilled to say that our babies did SO well at their 20 week appointment.  James and I were in awe as the ultra sound tech was going through all the measurements and checking out each and every part of the babies.  It is amazing how she can see all of the parts with such ease.  It took James and I a bit to see some of the parts.  Baby A was moving so much that little one for sure takes after daddy! Baby B on the other hand was being extremely, just like me.  That being said we will not be announcing the genders of the babies until this weekend.  James and I can hardly wait to share our good news with everyone!!
Cravings: I seriously can not live without grapes these days.  I think I could live on grapes alone!!!  Green and purple are both good as long as they are not mushy...yuck!  Who likes mushy grapes??  Not this girl.  My sweet tooth has also come back in full effect, minus chocolate still.  I am in shock that I still have an aversion to one of the greatest foods.  In addition to grapes I am still on a major Chinese and Japanese food kick.  They have replaced my usual obsession with Mexican food, which just like chocolate makes me sad.  For those of you who know me well, know I could not survive a Friday night without Mexican food.
James and I spent my day off today looking at cars.  I am SO excited to say that we purchased my first big girl adult car!!!  After much debate and research we decided on the Kia Sorento.  I am SO in love with my new car.  When I was driving it home I had the biggest smile on my face.  James said I looked like a little girl.  I am just thrilled to have plenty of room for the babies when they come in June.  It was such a blessing to be able to purchase this car.  It turned out that our sales person has been a member of Saddleback church for 15 years... talk about a God moment.  We also ran into a member of Saddleback Rancho Capistrano who happened to be in the dealership with her car.  It was so nice to see her and get her opinion of Kia's (she of course LOVES her).
I think it would be super fun to have people make guesses on what they think the genders are of the babies. Take a good look at the pictures and leave a message if you can to let us know what you think.  I will be posting the news next Sunday after church!  Until then I am so excited to hear what everyone thinks!!

The baby Bump is finally growing!!!  James and I both LOVE it!

Mommy Mode

My brain has officially switched over to mommy mode (well it really started the moment I found out I was pregnant).  All I think, dream, and want to talk about it baby stuff.  I am afraid of turning into that crazy annoying mom, too bad I think it has already happen.  I really can't wait for my 20 week doctor appointment so we can get a better idea of the babies genders so James and I can really start planning!  Until then, all I can do it wait and look up different baby things on my laptop.  I have totally become addicted to google and googling anything and everything baby.
Another big change coming up for our family is the need for a new car!  James and I started to look and research cars this month.  My lease is up soon on my VW Jetta and we for sure need a car with more room.  I am open to suggestions...PLEASE feel free to drop me a line to let me know your thoughts and opinions on family cars.  I really LOVE hearing from people who have experienced these things personally.
On a frustrating note, I have been really sick for the past 8 days (yes I am counting).  I thought it was just a cold and it would pass but it has not.  I finally broke down and went to the doctor and she told me that I have a sinus infection....YUCK!!!  I have honestly not been this sick in a very long time.  I will be so very happy to have all of my senses back (smell and taste, I miss the most) and also to have my energy back.  Needing to sleep all day does tend to get in the way of important things like going to work and being the best 2nd grade teacher I can be.
Coming Soon: Keep a watch out for a new baby bump picture (my belly has for sure been growing), the genders of the babies and any other baby developments.  Also, once we know the genders of the babies we will be asking for name suggestions.  I have already received a list from one of my precious students.  Her names may be tough to compete with!

18 Weeks and Counting...

The bump is starting to grow!!! I had some students tell me in a very cute/sweet way, "Mrs. Valencia, I think your belly is growing." I told him I think you are right! My students love to talk to the babies and touch my belly. I think it is very sweet. I am enjoying all the extra love and support not only from my students but from everyone. My family, my friends, my small group and my church family have been beyond wonderful to me.

My sweet tooth has officially started to come back. I still do not love chocolate but I am a pretty big fan of rice crispy treats. I was thrilled to find that the Rice Crispy brand makes gluten free...wahoo!!! I seriously had a party in the cereal isle. Last weekend my favorite treat was "zebra" kettle corn, a special gift from a very special friend. OMG, it was SO delicious!!! I loved it so much I ate the entire bag.

Besides being exhausted ALL the time I am really enjoying my 2nd trimester. I am starting to think of all the things James and I need to do and need to buy before the babies come. I think it will be easier to do all of that once we find out the genders of the babies. Speaking of genders, I have my 20 week appointment coming up very soon. The big blog reveal of the babies genders will be on Sunday, February 19th. However, if you want to know sooner you can attend one of the church services at Rancho that weekend. James and I will be sharing our big news on Saturday, February 18th at 5pm and on Sunday, February 19th at 9am and 11am.

Almost 4 Months!!

Today I am officially 15 weeks 5 days. I can't believe that I am almost half way to the end. I saw my wonderful doctor and he said both babies look great! I LOVE to hear those words, they never ever get old. The doctor has given us a 95% guess on both babies genders but James and I decided to hold off telling everyone for a few more weeks. We just want to be more sure. I promise that as soon as we find out I will post the news everywhere!!!

I keep forgetting to bring a blank CD to my appointments so this is the best I could do for an ultrasound picture. This is picture of baby B (baby A looks just the same I promise). Both babies are super active already. I think they get that from their daddy!

I see the "baby bump" growing even though most people say it is very hard to tell. I will be grateful for that because I know when my belly gets HUGE I will long for these days.

My latest cravings are fruits and veggies, especially berries, Cuties and my frozen veggie medley. I seriously can't get enough! The thing that has surprised me the most is I do not LOVE Mexican food as much as I did before the babies. I also have totally lost my sweet tooth. I try and try to eat sweets and they never end up agreeing with me. I guess that is a good thing, right? It leaves room for more good, nutritious food for the babies.

I'll try to post a better baby bump picture soon!

Good Bye 2011, Hello 2012

(Baby Bump Update- Week 14)

2011 was truly an amazing year for James and I. We had the honor and privilege to be a part of one of Saddleback Church's new regional campuses located at Rancho Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. During our first year at the church we had many super fun events, such as a shoe drive for kids in need in the local community, the Easter Crosses lighting, our first night of worship, movie nights, and Trunk-or-Treat (this event was one of my favorites because I LOVE dressing up. I can hardly wait for our costumes next year when the babies are here) just to name a few.

I personally have continued to be blessed with a wonderful teaching job at Beswick Elementary School in the Tustin Unified School District. I have an awesome team this year and could not do it without their constant support.

Then some of the best news of all in 2011 was finding out that James and I would be parents to TWINS!!! We feel so honored and blessed to become parents and can't wait to meet our precious miracles in June.

2011 was a great year for both James and I. I can hardly wait to see what 2012 has in store for us. I know our lives will never ever be the same and I am thrilled for that!