Landon is ONE!

I'm just going to say it. Landon is ONE. Woah...how is it really possible? My baby is one! My little angel who made this last year so wonderful is ONE. He has grown into such a beautiful little soul with a personality all his own. He is so much fun to be around simply because he brings a smile to everyones face. Its been a rough year, a fun year, a sad year and an absolutely amazing year. I just can't believe a whole year has passed.

If you follow this blog, you might be able to understand why its taken me so long to write this. Our worlds were rocked a little before his first birthday in learning we were expecting again! While I'm excited to add another (two) siblings for Lincoln and Landon, I'm a little nervous on what that will do to our little angel.

Landon has been such a blessing. We could not have asked for a smoother or easier transition to having two kids. You hear horror stories all the time of how this transition could go and he surpassed all our expectations. From sleeping through the night on day 4, (something Lincoln didn't do until he was 8 or 9 months), and although we've had a set back in the last few months, its still only once a night, he's also more laid back and easy than we ever thought possible. It's like he knew Lincoln was going to get challenging and wanted to make it easy on us. He's just a perfect little addition to our family and we could not imagine a day or a minute without him. We love you so much Landoman!

Here are a few of his milestones he hit by age 1.

• He got his first haircut the day before his birthday, simply because I had a big day planned for my two birthday boys. 
• Just like his brother, he isn't walking yet. He doesn't really even stand independently yet. He cruises across furniture but not interested in the walking thing. He really won't even push things to walk behind. I would highly doubt if he is walking before Christmas. But its all on his time table and I'm ok with that
• He stands and pulls up on everything. He rarely just sits there, he's always into something, and exploring things
• He loves to crawl and crawl fast. He's out of my sight in 2 seconds flat I swear!
• He loves to crawl up and down the stairs. He's not as good going down, and I don't feel quite comfortable letting him do it alone yet, but he's getting close. 
• He is getting better about sitting in his new carseat. He finally doesn't throw huge fits!
• He is getting better at entertaining himself. He's been a little fussy lately and I think he is teething or something because he wants to be held a lot. but on the days he feels good he will actually sit there and play with some toys for a small amount of time. 
• He is an eater. He loves all food! I swear there isn't really anything he won't try or eat. He's great. Really the only thing I can't seem to get him to eat is chicken nuggets...hmmm that's going to make dinner time challenging since thats all lincoln really likes
• His favorite seems to be clementines, bananas, BP and bread
• He is not good at drinking from a sippy cup. In fact when I tried to wean him from BF and he wouldn't drink from a sippy cup, I think he got a little dehydrated. So I've resorted to milk bottles
• He is still BF 3 times a day. after finding out I'm pregnant I want to wean him sooner rather than later. 
• He loves bath time. I swear I can get 30-45 more min out of him at night before bed if he gets a bath. Its like it gives him a second wind
• He is usually ready for bed by 9. He is definitely not my party child like his brother. He likes to sleep!
• He will sleep for me about 12-13 hours. He usually wakes up around 5/6 for a feeding when I'm home and then will go back to sleep until about 8-9
• He takes one nap a day for about 3-4 hours. But by golly he is ready for his nap by noon!! I try to hold him off until 1 or 2 but if we are out driving somewhere around noon, he is fast asleep! TURKEY!
• He has become a little mischievous. He doesn't listen all that well either, so when you tell him no, he looks at you smiles and does what he wants anyway!  AGAIN...TURKEY!
• He isn't really talking yet, but he will say mama, dada, GO, and a form of dog that I don't know how to spell.
• He loves to growl at you, and if you make different growling noises and inflections he will follow you
• He is doing better with mimicking you. 
• He waves bye bye
• He claps, yay
• He blows kisses
• He says "so big" with hand gestures
• He hates his socks, he will NOT keep them on! DRIVES ME NUTS!
• He knows his name and will always look at you when you say his name!! Love this!

I think this is the basic's of what he accomplished. He has grown so much, and I just love it! He has grown so much and has such  a wonderfully mischievous personality that I love so much. 

We finally got to the doctor just a few weeks ago, due to my doctor being gone and having to schedule my OB appointment, we got there a month late, but here are his stats!

• He is 31 inches long
• He's 85th% in length
• He's 22lbs 13 oz 
• He's in the 49th% for weight

So I have a long and lean baby on my hands!!! He is 1/2 inch shorter than Lincoln, and 4 oz shorter than Lincoln. 

• He grew 10 inches
• He gained 14 lbs 9 oz! 

And of course what monthly post is complete without a few pictures. 

Love you sweet adorable little Landoman!!! you are such a blessing and I'm so lucky you're mine!!!

13 weeks with the twins!

Week of November 20th, 2014 :)

How Far Along? 13 Weeks!!!

Due Date: May 28th! But I learned today that the latest she will let me go is May 9th. So I'm kind of hoping for May 8th...

Total weight gain/loss: Honestly have no clue...scales are bad! But I don't think it's too much...

Maternity clothes? Love them!

Stretch Marks? Nothing new

Sleep: Nothing out of the ordinary. 

Best moment this week: Having an unexpected ultrasound. I videotaped the whole thing and I LOVE IT! I loved getting to see them move and hit each other. It was amazing!!! I taped it for Adam since these doctor appointments will happen far too often for him to be able to come to. 

Movement: I think just a few times. 

Food cravings: ice cream. 

Food aversions: none really

can you tell I'm exhausted!

Gender: I still think Girls, but we will see next Saturday. My parents and Adams parents will all be in one place so we are going to do a small gender reveal party. Adam actually knows what they are, because he for some reason couldn't wait when he knew I had the results in an envelope in my possession. So I'm going to have him place his hands in paint and put them on my belly to reveal! I thought I was being original until I swear I saw just a day ago that Kimberly Williams Paisley did it just last week! UGGG, oh well I'm still doing it. 

Labor Signs: none

Belly Button in or out? I'm hoping it stays in, though maybe with the twins it will pop out. 

What I miss: Having a little more energy. I've been tired lately. 

What I am looking forward to: a weekend in Vincennes visiting Adams family and getting to meet one of his cousins! 

Size of baby: 

Baby's now the size of a peach!
Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords...savor this, their nonfunctional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with his head now only one third the size of his body. And intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy -- much more convenient.

12 Weeks with the TWINS!

Week of November 13th 2014

How Far Along? 12 Weeks

Due Date: May 28th

Total weight gain/loss: I honestly don't know, I think I'm about even. I gained the 3 lbs I had originally lost, but thats ok!!

Maternity clothes? I've got to figure out how to budget in some new clothes! I am just wearing my tank tops with light sweaters over. I don't have much in the way of winter maternity clothes. and it's been FREEZING!!! 

Stretch Marks? none that are new. 

Sleep: Still pretty much the same. I get up once or so to pee, but other than that its not been bad. 

Best moment this week: I think i got to feel the babies move!!! Someone said they felt it was probably just gas, but it didn't feel like that! it felt like a deliberate push, and kick. 

Movement: I think about 3 times!

Food cravings: ice cream

Food aversions: no nothing. though I do gag a lot.

Gender: I go to the doctor next week and we did genetic testing. and since they are identical they are either both boys or both girls and we could find out then. Originally we were going to wait until our 19 week u/s on the 31st of december, but I think we may find out now. 

Labor Signs: none

Belly Button in or out? i'm doubtful it goes out. 

What I miss: nothing. I'm loving being pregnant for once. 

What I am looking forward to: My MD appointment next week!!! I can't wait to hear these little things!

Size of baby: 

Baby's now the size of a plum!As you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of her systems are fully formed

11 weeks with the Twins!

Week of November 6th 2014

How Far Along? 11 Weeks

Due Date: May 28th

Total weight gain/loss: I think up 1...damn halloween candy!

Maternity clothes? I feel like I'm going to have to start buying some winter clothes! most of my maternity clothes are summer from the boys

Stretch Marks? No new ones

Sleep: still the same. 

Best moment this week: just being another week along with these babies!

Movement: I CANNOT WAIT!

Food cravings: sweets

Food aversions: no not really

Gender: still thinking they are girls

Labor Signs: none

Belly Button in or out? I'm hoping it stays in!!

What I miss: not really a whole lot. 

What I am looking forward to: Truly I'm just looking forward to each day these babies are inside  and growing! I want them to cook as long as they need to and for everything to be ok! 

Size of baby: 

Baby's now the size of a lime!Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through it. But fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future. 

10 weeks with the TWINS!

Week of October 30th, 2014

How Far Along? 10 Weeks

Due Date: May 28, 2015!

Total weight gain/loss: down 2 still

Maternity clothes? I bought some more jeans since I only had one pair and they were from Lincoln and my thunder thighs had worn holes in the upper thighs. 

Stretch Marks? No new ones

Sleep: Normal

Best moment this week: getting to tell everyone! I recorded a few reactions because they were awesome...My mom's was my favorite though!

Movement: I'm so desperate to feel these two!

Food cravings: I don't think so

Food aversions: None...the nausea is practically gone too!

Gender: We are planning to find out! I'm thinking girls though

Labor Signs: none

Belly Button in or out? still in

What I miss: not really anything

What I am looking forward to: feeling them move. and my next appointment! 

Size of baby: 

Baby's now the size of a prune!With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will start working too.)

9 weeks with a surprise!

Week of October 23rd

Today I had my first OB appointment. My doctor recently joined the group that I originally went to when I was pregnant with Lincoln. So I was scheduled for my ultrasound at 12:30. I had worked the night before and only got about 2 hrs of sleep before waking up to go. I didn't go back for my ultrasound until almost 1:45! I was exhausted, and hungry and was very anxious. I just wanted to know that my baby was ok, alive and well!

When the ultrasound tech started her exam she had the screen faced her. I was studying her like a hawk and I noticed her face made a twitch, then it did it again. Finally she turns the monitor to me, as she says "I'm going to show you what I'm seeing". When the monitor was turned to me, my heart dropped because all I saw was my empty uterus. Then she moved the wand, and said "I'm seeing two"...my immediate reaction was..."um what" she repeated herself and I immediately started to cry. I was all alone because Adam had just gone back to work the week before after being off for a month after having knee surgery and I knew he couldn't have taken time to come with me. My heart just swelled and I'm even getting emotional thinking about it now. It's such crazy blessing. The tech let me take a video of their heart beats so I could show Adam. As she was continuing her exam I texted Adam "are you sitting down" He had been nervous too, and had been texting and calling me while we were waiting for my scan. He immediately called me and was like "are you ok" I said I'm fine, he then asked "are you miscarrying, are you sure you're ok". I said yes, I couldn't be better. He then asked, "what's wrong" I said nothing, everything is fine, but it's Twins! I believe his reaction "Shut the fuck up, you're joking, thats not funny". I said no, I'm not kidding. it's really twins. I just sent you a video. at that point we both were in such shock. He asked if they were ok, I said yes, and that I would call him later. The tech continued her exam and told me that she believed they were Mono/Di which meant they were sharing a placenta, but believed  there were two sacs, but that the sacs were very thin and she would have to let my doctor make that assessment. With this, it means that they are IDENTICAL!

After the scan, I met with my friend the pregnancy educator where we went over my diet, high protein is key. and some other things like increasing my folic acid and ensuring I take prenatals.

After that I met with my doctor, who just smiled at me as she stood in the doorway. Then she gave me a huge hug!!!! She was so happy for me, and it just made me feel so lucky to have her as my doctor. She is such a kind and compassionate person and I'm so lucky she's such a support! We went over a few things, such as delivery (I have to have an epidural for the babies and my safety), increased monitoring (bi weekly cervical checks, and monthly if not more frequent ultrasounds) and things like that.

It's all slowly starting to sink in and I suppose I should begin my little journey of weekly posts! I just can't believe there are two babies inside me, although I feel so much bigger this time, so I guess I'm not all that surprised...

How Far Along? 9 Weeks

Due Date: May 28th 2015

Total weight gain/loss: so far I'm down 2

Maternity clothes? they are my best friends...love them!

Stretch Marks? Oh you bet! but no new ones

Sleep: I feel normal. I'm still nursing Landon and he wakes up once, around 5 AM, and then of course I'm still working nights so some days I only get 2 hrs of sleep, so being tired is my right. 

Best moment this week: Finding out we are having...wait for it....TWINS! the feelings we are having is everything you can possibly imagine. we are elated, nervous, scared, excited and overwhelming blessed. with each pregnancy i've felt so blessed and just can't imagine how much God has blessed us, but this time, the feeling is almost overwhelming! I feel so blessed and lucky. I'm almost moved to tears every time I think about it. 

Movement: too early for this, but I can't wait until I can, making sure these babies are ok is what I'm most anxious for. 

Food cravings: Nothing really

Food aversions: pretty much food in general. I get mildly nauseated every time I eat. but its NOTHING like what it was with the boys!

Gender: I'm thinking we might be changing our tune a little bit...I'm thinking we will be finding out. Twins is a HUGE surprise and I need some sort of control, so being able to pick out two names, and gather a second set of all things baby will be important.

Labor Signs: none...thank you lord!

Belly Button in or out? Innie, maybe with twins it will actually go out!

What I miss: being able to eat sandwiches... Jimmy Johns sounds so good, as well as subway!

What I am looking forward to: Telling everyone. We usually wait until I'm out of the first trimester but with all the complications with identical twins, I'm thinking we need all the prayers we can get and the sooner the better. We plan to tell my parents and Adams parents tomorrow. I called and told my sister today. Its really kind of fun being able to tell people!!! their reactions are PRICELESS!

Size of baby: 

Baby's now the size of a green olive!

Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like...well...a baby!

Baby Chafin #3

Week of October 3rd

Ok This week I decided that it had been a while since I had my cycle and maybe I should take a pregnancy test. I took it just to ease my mind. I never really thought I was pregnant. My cycle was really irregular when I was nursing Lincoln, I mean 16 or 67 days...very hard to predict, and it was pretty much the same thing this time as well. I took them regularly when I was nursing Lincoln and they were always negative, and we were actually trying to get pregnant with both boys.  We did get pregnant with Landon shortly after I stopped nursing.

So when I took the test, and the horizontal line immediately appeared  my jaw dropped. We weren't trying, we weren't ready...were we? We were going to wait another year, when did this happen? Are we really ready? All these things were running through my mind. I immediately came out of the bathroom and asked Adam to read the pregnancy test to see if he saw the same thing I did...he said he felt it was positive too...I told him I had to go to store to get a digital one that read pregnant or not pregnant because I just wasn't sure. When that test came back positive too, to be honest I broke down. I started to cry. I was scared, I was nervous, I was overwhelmed. After all I wasn't expecting this, we weren't financially ready. This wasn't a part of our plan. I wanted to wait another year before trying.

It all came as such a shock because for the first time when I took a pregnancy test that turned out positive, I don't feel pregnant, nor were we actively trying. Sure we said 4 years ago when we began our journey to parent hood that we wouldn't prevent until we were done, it wasn't an active decision as it was with the boys. But I feel completely like I always do. No fatigue, no nausea, no breast tenderness, NOTHING! But since the test says positive, I'm hoping for a viable pregnancy and that this isn't a ectopic or molar pregnancy or something...so i'll be praying until I can get in to see my doctor in a few weeks. Also since I don't know how far along I am, I'm going to hold off on doing my normal weekly posts until I know for sure how far I am...5, 6 or 7


weeks...who knows!

turns out I'm 6 weeks 3 days here

How Far Along? Not a clue!

Due Date: According to my LMP may 22nd. According to my cycle length June 2nd...see why I have no clue!

Total weight gain/loss: 0 lbs so far...we shall see. I'm starting 3 lbs lighter than I did with Landon.

Maternity clothes? The sweet high elastic waist bands have never left me. They are my best friends!

Stretch Marks? Still covered. I wonder if I'll get more with this one like I did with Landon!

Sleep: ehhh I'm slightly more tired than normal but nothing like with Landon or Lincoln...I also work nights so it's hard to tell!

Best moment this week: finding out we are pregnant. We were not trying and were not expecting this. But we are so so thrilled!

Movement: too early for this

Food cravings: none really...i must be healthier than the last pregnancies than the last. I never did get around to losing the last of my lincoln pregnancy weight

Food aversions: none

Gender: unknown and I'm not sure we will find out again...i know we drive people nuts!

Labor Signs: none, thank goodness

Belly Button in or out? Innie never went out with either boys

What I miss: nothing really

What I am looking forward to: My doctor appointment October 23rd. If for nothing else to make sure this is a good pregnancy and to find out when I'm due. I am not going to post anymore weekly updates until I know! I'm sure not much else will change!

Size of the Baby:

Baby's now the size of a sweet pea!
Growing like crazy, baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. Those little hands and feet -- still webbed like paddles -- might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as yours!), and blood is starting to circulate.