Rice-Rice-Baby is Back!!

It's actually ironic to me how two years ago I named my blog Rice-Rice-Babie and little did I know that I would be announcing that we are expecting TWINS this second go round.  Let me start by saying that I am SUPER behind on starting this pregnancy journal for them.  Today, I am 18 weeks and 4 days already.  Hubby and I decided this pregnancy to wait until I reached the 2nd trimester to tell all of our friends, coworkers, and everyone basically that we know that I was pregnant again.  I'm a little clueless as to where to even begin with the story of how the twins entered our lives, so bare with me this time if I'm a little all over the place or break it up into several posts.

It was Emily's 1st birthday and the day of her party when I had a scare of a miscarriage just like I did twice with her.  I stayed pretty calm because as crazy as it sounds, my pregnancy with Emily prepared me to handle that type of situation.  Fortunately, it was after the last guests left that I discovered the bleeding and the excitement of celebrating my only daughter's 1st birthday quickly came to an end for both hubby and I.  I called my doctor's office, and they scheduled me to come in for an ultrasound the next morning.  That night, we could hardly sleep thinking our baby might not be with us any longer.  I forgot to mention that this was a planned pregnancy and we found out just before week 5 that I was pregnant.  It was about week 6 1/2 when the emergency ultrasound was needed and one day before my scheduled pregnancy ultrasound was supposed to take place.  So back to the story, early the next morning we drove to the doctor's office.  I told the doctor I think I may just have passed a blood clot like with Emily, but hubby and I still tried to prepare ourselves to hear the worst news.  The doctor barely had the ultrasound probe touch me, when he announced, "Well, you are having twins!  They both have good heart beats and everything appears to be fine."  All I remember is turning my head to look at my hubby holding Emily close and seeing the sentiment in his eyes.  I just didn't know if it was joy, relief, or complete shock that he was feeling.  It wasn't until we got in our car to go home that I got the chance to ask him how he felt.  For the rest of my life I will never forgot what I am about to tell you.  Hubby's exact words were "I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!"  I couldn't have been happier from that moment onward.

The remainder of the car ride home was crazy thoughts and discussion like the following:
~Me: "We need a double or triple stroller."
~Hubby: "We need a mini-van." (Trumped the stroller.)
~Both of us: "Four names????"
~Double the diapers, wipes, food, almost everything.
~Hubby: "What if they are two girls?"  Me: "Won't happen."

Overall, we are still relishing the two more blessings God has given us.   :)

Fully Baked But Not Ready to Come Out of the Oven

Due date come, and due date almost gone. It sort of feels like someone skipping their birthday.

Our baby is fully baked as the pregnancy ticker states today at exactly 40 weeks, however, she is so comfy in mommy's tummy so is not ready to come out. We want to meet Emily more than anything else right now. Hubby says when she is ready, she will come. Mommy agrees, but is just saying that because it is the right thing to say. MeeMee who is visiting for Emily grand debut is just hoping it is sometime soon so she will be here to meet her granddaughter.

My third cousin's baby was due yesterday, and a friend of mine's baby is due today like Emily, but all three of us have no baby news to report. We've all gone on long walks and been more active than usual from how it sounds. My friend may have already drank castor oil...YUCK!! I'm hesitant to try any of the wives' tales or myths other than walking because I want Emily to come when she feels ready. She is moving an immense amount right now and all this evening. I've shed a lot of cervical lining, had a few contractions, and am dilated 2-3cm as of yesterday morning. I believe she will be coming in the next couple of days. Can't wait to meet you little girl!!! Come soon if you can. =)

Fluff, Plush, and Cuteness Galor!

I don't want to ruin the surprise, but I've given myself a new project to work on these past couple of days. It's to find wardrobe and props for Emily's newborn photo shoot. An acquaintance of mine is a photographer and going to take the pictures. She has props, but I've been thinking about all the small details like what fabrics and backgrounds should go with each wardrobe change.

Here's just a little taste of what's to come...colorful tulle (jelly bean to be precise), flowers, ribbon, cozy fur, handmade cocoon by Emily's MeeMee, and a touch of winter. It still is winter even though it feels like spring and summer.

Hoping all the pictures turn out of so sweet and one's hubby and I will treasure forever. How could we not with them being of our little angel who we are just DYING to meet for the first time?!?!

March Birthday

March Graphics

It's not official, but it might as well be. Emily is going to have a March birthday. There is no way this first time mommy is giving birth in less than 6 hours. That might be unheard of even. If the 6 had a 1 in front of it, then maybe.

Actually, it's been fun not knowing if she would have a February birthday like her daddy or a March birthday and have it to herself. I love even numbers, but now the whole 3 for March and year 2011 have pretty much made that not matter so much. It could be cool if she had 3.1.11 or even better 3.3.11 as her birthday. Whatever numerically it turns out to be, what is most important is it represents one of the best days of hubby's and my life.

Yesterday, I said I was closing the Guess Emily's Birthday game, so I'm headed to do that now. Again, good luck to everyone because I am still the only one out. I take that back, hubby and my good friend Eva are out too. Hopefully hubby and I will be better guessers in life for Emily's sake...LOL!!!

Any Day Now

I'm only posting this because currently I'm feeling an immense amount of movement from Emily and tons of pressure. It's be a pretty productive day at our house. Hubby and I got a walk in, some cleaning, a healthy dinner, my hospital bags are more finalized than they have been, and now contemplating watching the Oscars or something else. Hubby is watching the Knicks vs. the Heat, so he's happy (well...as long as the Knicks win).

On a side note, I have to mention that when I call my parents now, they think it is THE call. I have to just laugh because I image what it must like to be on the receiving end of the phone when a full term pregnant lady is calling me. Still playing the waiting game, but I think it is coming very, very soon with the way I have been feeling this evening. Last chance to place your guess about Emily's birthday. I'm closing the poll tomorrow. Good luck! I'm a little sad I already lost. She deserves her own month though, and only one other special lady in the family has a March birthday. Emily would be sharing it with one of her great-grandmothers who I know wouldn't mind one bit. In fact, she would be delighted.

Beach Baby

Emily is a lucky girl to live so close to the beach. Hubby wanted to do a maternity photo shoot all on his own. Truth be told, I'm getting more and more into professional photo sessions after our engagement, wedding, and now first baby...but money isn't growing on trees. We are going to have Emily's newborn session done by a professional though.

We love the beach and it was a gorgeous February day yesterday. We should have gone earlier when the sun was above us instead of setting and in my eyes. Below are the best of the photos. I'm a little upset with myself that I today thought of what would have made a great photo, but maybe we will have one more chance this weekend. If not, hubby definitely captured Emily in my belly. Great job, babe!!!

Sun in my eyes. I tried my best.

Love this one! Props to hubby for thinking like a photographer. =)

Another photographer's angle.

Calmness. We won't have that for much longer. ;)

This is always a mommy's favorite photo.

Emily, we hope to live out here one day.

12 days and counting.

I love you so.

Daddy wanted in just one picture. ;)

Too bright not to wear my sunglasses.

P.S. It was very windy out there, so our props wouldn't work.