Twins?

You know that feeling you get when the ground drops from under you, time slows, and all of your senses have been consumed by what you're staring at right in front of you? I was introduced to that feeling Wednesday.

I mentioned in an earlier blog, that Steph and I would be participating in a study through IU Hospital that would result in groundbreaking advances in the medical field and hundreds of years worth of knowledge for future expecting couples. Oh you don't remember me saying all that? That's because I didn't. I was in it for the gift cards and free car seat we were getting from the deal. Wednesday was scheduled our first appointment. We were to sign some paper work and take the first of many ultra sounds of our baby. Steph is only thirteen weeks along and so this is happening way before the most couples get their first ultra-sound. I was mildly excited to see our baby. I thought it would still be a tadpole or something. I was holding my excitement for the one where we find out the sex.

My lukewarm enthusiasm is about to be ambushed by life and I didn't even know it. I'll just go through the dialogue that occurred between the female technician, Steph, and myself as we underwent the ultra-sound:

Steph: Oh that gel is cold.
Tech: And there is your baby.
Steph: Wow look at how much its moving.
Me: Hey there. Look at its arm move. That's awesome.
Tech: There's two in there...
Steph: (silence)
Me: What?

I wish I could convey what was happening to my body at this moment, I don't really know what to compare it to. This was different than the first time I found out I was going to be a father and I had to let it sink in. This time, the moment she said those words, I instantly had complete comprehension of what they meant. A warm sensation went through my entire body and I had to sit down. I kept staring at the ultra-sound screen. My eyes must have been huge because the technician started laughing at me.

Here's the facts: We have two babys. Baby A is .02 cm longer than Baby B. Baby B has a faster heart beat than Baby A. We don't know the gender of either one. They share the same placenta, but are in separate sacks. They will be identical twins. We are VERY excited. We are going to have our hands full.

So we have yet another reason to praise the Lord. We can no longer participate in the IU study because it is only for singletons. The picture below is of the ultra-sound and both babies. Now I must go and prepare another meal for Stephanie because with twins she must eat the same calorie count as Michael Phelps.

Kitchen = Mans Land?

Some husbands may look back on their bachelor days and yearn to regain that freedom. Well gentlemen, I have tasted that "freedom" and found it to be a bitter dish.

Since this pregnancy began, Steph has less energy and motivation than she usually does. All my sources confirm this to be normal for pregnant females. So while she rests on the couch watching all of the Friends DVDs we have for the fourth time, I am left to pick up the slack. This means I have had to re-accustom myself to doing many of the household jobs that I have gotten used to letting Steph do for the past year. So far I have learned the following:

1. Our sink is too small, dishes pile up quick, and I will make a fortune some day when I invent an all in one plate that will also do the job of the fork, spoon, knife, and cup. Then clean itself.

2. Sticking to the grocery budget is much harder when I cant guess what Steph wants to eat.

3. If I don't clean the toilet rim, Steph will see it and throw up.

4. Somehow when I fold the clothes, they get more wrinkles.

5. My wife is amazingly creative when it comes to putting meals together. I, however, have no imagination. So my lunches contain strange combinations like cheddar sausages and Greek yogurt.

6.  Staying disciplined in studying the Bible and working on my relationship with God is hard when my time is squeezed.

7. When there is a sitcom being watched in another room and you listen only for the laugh tracks, they sound way too short and a little depressing.

8. I cant decorate the apartment.

9. Stress from home adds to stress from work if I don't exercise.

I'm sure I'll learn many more of these pearls of wisdom as the months progress.