Two Years of Bliss and 3 Hours of Torture

So, last week marked Alan's and my 2 year anniversary. To say we are blessed truly by God in our marriage and relationship is an understatement. We had a whirlwind romance (which began from a wonderful friendship) and a very eventful marriage, thus far. We are only where we are today because of the grace of God. He has truly brought us through so much. We know that our faith in Him and His will is what to lean on and not of our own accord, which in my ever controlling personality is hard at times! 

     We celebrated our anniversary fairly simply, as we had a trip upcoming for some relaxation. Pedicures and pizza was our night and it was perfect. 

      That Friday I had my three hour glucose tolerance test. In a twin pregnancy, they require you to take your glucose test earlier than a singleton pregnancy. So, at my 20 week mark I took the one hour test and failed it pretty hardcore. Crazy thing is I have not craved or eaten a lot of sugar this whole pregnancy. Yes, I have had my occasional sweet tea or bowl of ice cream, but it's been rare. I was an emotional basket case when they told me I failed it. All this meant at that point was I had to take the three hour test.

     The three hour test is different then the one hour. The one hour you eat normal, then go drink this awful (though fruit punch flavored wasn't that bad) sugar drink as fast as you can, wait an hour and get your blood drawn. The three hour test is a different story. You first begin with fasting for 12 hours.....now let's remember that there are two babies in this belly that really like to eat, or maybe that's their mom, but either way, 12 hours is a long time in our book! You then go get your blood drawn (stick #1) and head to get your lovely flavored drink...they only had orange flavored this time which makes me gag in real world drinks, but hey, what can you do?! So we chugged it. That first hour is awful....nausea, ready to vomit, indigestion feeling, headache, and just feeling awful. The babies were definitely on a sugar high though! They were going crazy in my belly which was actually pretty funny. At the hour mark you go get your blood drawn (stick #2), then get to wait another hour. The second hour wasn't so bad. Still a little nausea, but I could actually get comfortable. At the end of that hour, it's back to the lab for more bloodwork (stick #3). Then waiting another hour, which means it's been  almost 15 hours since I've eaten and my stomach is growling and babies ain't happy! The last blood draw (stick #4) actually came pretty quickly and we were off. 

      There was actually a Jamba Juice  next to my OB's office which I had been craving all week, so made a pit stop by there and Newk's for some good food. 

      I felt like I was back at the fertility center with all the sticks, but I think it made it easier. My only concern was they took a vial of blood each time and my hemoglobin and hematocrit have dropped to a significant anemic state in the past few weeks, so didn't want it to get worse. 

     So, we waited about 5 days for the results (and I think I ate more sugar then than my whole pregnancy so far!). Thankfully, I passed it and won't have to take another test this pregnancy! No gestational diabetes or risk for the babies! A true blessing. 

       So, for now we are just waiting for our next ultrasound in a week and enjoying these two little guys moving more and more and getting stronger and stronger.

Our Boys

     Well, it was a rough week in having our babies' genders there but not able to know! Especially those who know me, know I hate not knowing something!! But, I can say it was well worth the wait!

     I want to begin this post with the blessing our friends (who I consider all my family) in Charleston are to us. Sarah Christopher was an integral part of Alan's and my engagement 2 years ago (from the same weekend!) and now she is an integral part in revealing our babies' genders. She and her Momma (Charla) and her sisters and I even think she got John Austin in on it are as creative as the come! I was just teased by their "crafting' the weekend before and let me just say….they WAY OUTDID themselves! I had the cutest gender reveal/shower in the world! Cat in the Hat was the theme and it was awesome! Also, the wonderful, graciousness of Dr. and Mrs. Caldwell to open their home to us to have it there was so exciting. (And if you need a wedding venue in the future check it out at RiverOaks Charleston).

      The night began with a great cookout of all things Dr. Seuss…..green eggs (deviled green eggs at that) and ham(burgers), hop on pop (popcorn), oodles of noodles (pasta salad), one fish two fish (fish crackers), and truffula fruit. And props to Dean for making some good burgers! We then began our reveal as the sun began to set. Sarah and Will had set up a Thing 1 and Thing 2 box filled with balloons and confetti. It was such a great experience to experience this with my parents and our family friends (though we did miss Alan's side). After we found out we were having two boys, the tears came. And there was a touching speech given by Mr. Bill Deans who has known me since before I was born.

     From there were some yummy cupcakes and gifts and lots of socializing. I love my Charleston family and times when we can get together. It just reminds me of what friendships are really meant to be about. We have had these friends for over 24 years and the majority of that time has been with the "Baughman clan" being in a different city. Yet, these people love us like Christ and I never have to worry about if they will be there or not. It just makes me sad that these days those types of relationships are few and far between. Yet we are called as Christians to nourish these relationships everywhere we go.

       Back to our boys, we are so ecstatic!!! God has truly blessed us! Alan had his guess correct and I missed it by one. We both are so excited about two boys and the journey ahead. These little ones have been moving like crazy the past week and this weekend Alan got to actually feel them move. Baby A has gotten tired of his brother kicking him in the head and has moved up in my abdomen towards my stomach….he thinks it is now fun to kick mom's stomach. Baby B is still using my bladder as his trampoline. It is quite interesting to say the least! I never thought I would actually feel a baby in my stomach and here it is! They are doing well!

      I have my first of two glucose tolerance tests on Friday. Not so much looking forward to the drink but looking forward to seeing the babies again! Thank you for being excited with us and thank you for your continued prayers! God is good in all ways and shows us that abundantly through babies and friends this week!