The Big Name Reveal!

As of this week, the Hill twins are 15 weeks from their due date! Depending on which app I look at, they are the size of heads of cauliflower, napa cabbage, or turnips.  My boys are about 14 inches head to toe, and around 2 pounds each! Finally, I can attribute some of this weight gain to them. Their lungs are still developing but they are to the point that they'd have a fighting chance if they were born today.

Also, the babies are enjoying their new sense of equilibrium. Hopefully, they are thinking head down, butt up is a comfortable position for the next few months. This is a big deal to me since I'm really hoping to attempt a VBAC.  Baby A needs to be head down for the doctors to even let me try a vaginal birth.

Speaking of Baby A... I don't call him that anymore. There is no more Baby A or Baby B. Those boys have names!!!! (Yeah, I know you already scrolled down, but I'll pretend you aren't a big cheater.)

After much painful discussion with my hubby, we've finally settled on two names. They are kind of unique, but easy to spell and say... some of my rules for baby names. It's so nice to be able to call them something. I don't know how people wait until after they give birth to decide. I'd end up naming my kid something stupid from the adrenaline and exhaustion of giving birth... like They just feel like they fit in the family when they have names ahead of time.

The poll I did was interesting. Lucas had the most votes of any name. I do like that name, but I'm a mean parent and want my kids to have more unique names. Plus, I know someone who is using that name for their son who will also be born in August.  Hudson and Jase did well too.  Jeremy wouldn't let me use Hudson. There were a lot of names I loved but he would say, "That's not a real name." Psshh.

So, here they are. The names of the newest Hill boys:

Nice, huh? We think so anyway. Tucker is such a cute little boy name. But it will grow with him... I can see it now... "And starting at quarterback is senior Tucker Hill!" or "CEO Tucker Hill donates $1,000,000 to his Mom because he loves her so much." And Maverick is kind of epic. I can almost guarantee that most of you don't know anybody named Maverick. But it is a real name! Pinterest told me so. Also, yes, my husband loves Top Gun.  Some people name their kids really meaningful names that tie in their faith, family, and values. Us? We just find names that sound awesome and go with it. Easton's name came from the company that makes arrows for compound bows. We were shooting our bows one day and said, "Hey, that's a sweet name."

Middle names are still being finalized. Those might have some more meaning/family history in them. Let me know what you think of the first names! But be nice, I'm pregnant and hormonal, you aren't allowed to say "eww, those are terrible names." I would cry.

Get ready world! Mav and Tuck Hill are going to be a big deal! With Easton as their ringleader, I can only imagine the chaos that will ensue at our house. It's going to be LEGEND- wait for it- DARY!

24 down, 16 to go!

The title says 16 weeks left, but I would be fine with 14. This pregnancy is much harder than I imagined it would be. For some reason, it takes more effort to grow two babies! Go figure.  I have the same amount of energy as a 90 year old woman.  I posted on a twins/multiples forum asking if it was normal to run out of steam so quickly. Quite a few twin mommies agreed that once they hit around the 20 week mark their energy plummeted.

But I can't complain. Heartburn and swelling have yet to make their appearance! Both of those reared their ugly heads while I was pregnant with Easton. And when I say swelling, I mean like gross swelling. My feet looked like they could pop if poked with a sharp object. I'm hoping that I won't swell so bad this pregnancy... I'll be big enough without the extra water weight! Although if I do swell, I can get out of work quicker... hmmmmm. That wouldn't be the end of the world.

 Here are the rest of my pregnancy stats as of today:

How far along? 24 Weeks exactly
How big are the twins? The size of cantaloupes (yes, cantaloupes... and there are TWO of them in there). Almost a foot long, about a pound and a half in weight. They were both 1lb, 2 oz at my ultrasound last week.
Total weight gain/loss? Ugh... 
Maternity clothes? Pretty much exclusively. I hear midriff isn't cool anymore. 
Sleep? Still sleeping great! 
Best moment this week? Laughing with Jer this morning as the little guys put on a show in my belly
Symptoms? Exhaustion. Some mood swings. 
Food cravings? Turkey Subs. 
Food aversions? None... I want to eat everything. All the time.
Labor signs? Nope, not yet.
Belly button in or out? It's pretty much flat. Fingers crossed it stays that way!
What I miss? Energy... Motivation...
What I'm looking forward to? Washing baby clothes and putting them away!
Bump?  Here are the latest pics. Easton wanted to help.

Far better things ahead...

I started this blog to journal my feelings as I go through this pregnancy and the wonderful things that come with being someone's Momma.  It's funny to go back and look at my thoughts and all the random things that get written down here. Sometimes life can be so stinking amazing and you just want to soak it in and remember it.

For instance, today I got to sleep in a little bit and enjoy my morning (mostly decaf) coffee with my adorable son riding in the backseat to grandma's house. I stopped to get a delicious bagel with a gift card I won over the weekend and came to work. I texted my mom and mentioned how tired I was feeling today and she shows up at my work an hour later with a yogurt parfait and a pint of cookie dough ice cream. As if that wasn't enough, I went to see Easton on my lunch and he actually laid down and snuggled with me on the couch for my entire break. The flowers are starting to bloom, the air is warm today, and I happened to have Peach Snapple in my van. There's two precious babies in my belly growing, kicking, and making me more excited day by day.  Life is wonderful!

I told myself yesterday that I was not going to be upset today. There are SO many amazing things going on in my life. But today was supposed to be my due date. The baby I lost in September would have been full term today. Now I'm not looking for sympathy or for anyone to feel bad for me. Yes, miscarriage is a horrible thing to go through.  I did cry today. My heart loves that baby as much as the son I saw on lunch break and the two sons I'm carrying. So yes, it's perfectly acceptable for me to be emotional today and remember that baby.

But today I don't have a void. There is no hole left where that baby was. Do I wish I could have met that baby? Of course. I know I will someday. But did God heap blessings on top of my family's life after losing that baby? Absolutely. In fact, today I'm struggling with the thought, If I could still be pregnant with that baby, would I change what happened? Back in September, I would have done anything to keep that baby. Today I look at where I've come since then, where I'm going from here and I can't help but think that God's plan was perfect. It was painful, it was heart-breaking. No one wants to go through that. I am for sure not saying that I am glad it happened. It sucked. But if there is one thing that I know for sure, it is that God's hand was in every step of this journey, writing our story the way He saw fit. I believe that because we chose to praise and trust Him through our darkest days, He blessed us with days more bright than we ever imagined. And it's my responsibility to give Him all the credit.

I don't deserve it. I have a rotten attitude sometimes. I judge people too quickly. I'm definitely not in the running for wife of the year. I don't have enough patience with my son. I whine about stupid stuff. I can be an absolute jerk. I get angry. I am selfish. I don't have much compassion. I question God. I could go on... but you get the picture. I'm a hot mess like everybody else. I don't know why God chose to bless me so much. I don't know why He gave me a husband and a son that are pretty much perfect. I don't know why He let me get pregnant again so quickly, and with twins! I don't know why He gave me the perfect life that I get to live.  I'm no preacher, I don't speak or write eloquently. I've typed and erased the end of this paragraph fifteen times.  I have no answers, other than that God is good. I am so grateful that He allows me to look back and see His plan at work.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19