Wrapping Up (Maybe)

The plumber is due back to the building this am (the water pipe thumping rattling sounds are scary), the roofers are due back this pm (have they fixed anything? who knows? I just want a ceiling in the kids' room) and I am now officially due in the next day to 10 days maximum (the just over the 38 week mark). I am happy to report that I eliminated most of the bettors (last to lose were my mother and stepfather yesterday) in lasting this long. M is in full misbehaving/anxiety mode (she said things like "I just need some attention", "You are not going to care about us when the twins come" and "I am going to throw a hard object at your head") yesterday. But she also said some friendlier and funnier things like "As time passes kids get more naughtier. Like me and J, we are preparing to be teenagers." J commented to me, "I do not think the twins will come this year." I guess he has lost his patience and interest. He is also now adamant about them being two girls (ouch) which makes me doubt my steadfast belief that there is at least one boy in there. J is after all, the most intuitive in the family, the guy who asked me "How many babies do you have in there?" back in August when nobody knew. I know I am naive and this is a premature comment (as is the title of the blog since I technically only know about being the mother to two kids), but I would do it all again. Even the painful labor I have not yet experienced. Off to school!

More People Out!

Of the betting.
Adios SC and later today mother and stepfather.
Who will win? When will Copy & Paste make their debut?
My 3 weeks at 3cm is not so crazy any more. Tomorrow marks the end of week número tres.
If B would just turn now...

Adatoodah

New proposed spelling for "attitude" as featured by M in a note to her father stating "I do not like your adatoodah."
All in favor of this new, more vibrant spelling raise your hand.

Honoring the Dead

M made a list of all of the dead people "she knows" yesterday. She made herself lined paper and wrote out "Peggy", "Julio" (my grandfather whom she never met) and "Papi's grandmothers and grandfathers." Today she went back to the list and started cutting out the names. We have a mantel in our home with a picture of one of F's ancestors who was named Gioacchino and we out a little place name with our son's name in front to be funny. M cut out Julio's name and put it in front of his picture. She then made drawing of Peggy and taped it to her name tag and put her on the mantel as well. Too damn sweet.

J on the Phone With Nonna

Biene (pause)- sounds Ukranian with his hybrid accent-
Grazie (pause)
What did she say?

Latest Comments

As I passed some gas (sorry) this evening, M asked me if it was the babies. I said "No, excuse me, that was gross." M said, "When I am pregnant I am going to blame everything on the baby."

J was singing "I am in love with her and I feel fine." and I said "I am in love with you." You cannot be in love with me, you are in love with Papi and I am in love with M."

Too sweet.

The BEST SNOW DAY EVER!!

New car crashed by a driver with no license: CHECK
Children's ceiling smashed open in multiple spots and no source of leak found: CHECK
Horrible mood: CHECK

Still In The Running...

Jan 27 T (for a few more hours..) - 2 boys
Jan 29 SC (1 of each)
Jan 30 My mother (2 boys)
Jan 30 My stepfather (1 of each)
Feb 1 My sister A (2 girls)
Feb 1 KB (1 of each)
Feb 2 KW Feb 2 (2 girls)
Feb 3 My sister C (1 each)
Feb 3 My brother G (1 of each)
Feb 4 My father (2 girls)
Feb 5 My sister's boyfriend (1 each)
Feb 7 DB (1 of each)
Feb 8 Y (1 of each)
Feb 10 F (1 of each)
Feb 10 MB (2 boys)
Feb 10 AC (2 girls)
Feb 11 SD (2 girls)
Feb 11 IF (1 of each)
Feb 12 AH (2 girls)

I think it will be Feb 1, 3, or 5. I am going for the odd numbers! 1 of each of course. Although the onesies my sister gave me (one says COPY and another PASTE) are much funnier for a same sex duo.

Snow Day!

I did not think it would happen but it snowed 11 more inches! and Bloomberg wanted to be cautious. Of course you should also thank M, who upon her teacher's instructions slept with her pjs inside out and backwards to obtain a snow day (her look of accomplishment this am was priceless). I actually would rather be in school than trapped at home with tarps and buckets. But, I am hoping that lunch at Lolita's, lots of TV and drawing will get us through the day. It has already snowed over 50 inches this winter (much more than double what it snows on average in a winter). Enough!

36 Weeks: No News Is Good News

So a few more people are about to lose the guessing pool. Went to see Dr. C and she said I was 2-3 cm (I guess she was wrong or lying last time when she said 3cm) and the cervix was long (i.e. unchanged from how it has always been). Twin B has not moved (turn baby turn!) although I suspect he/she is often head down and then flips before the sonogram to mess with Dr. C and keep things interesting. Dr. C is very anxious for me to have the twins even though I am officially two weeks away from the fake due date. She asked me if she could "strip my membranes"- a painful way to manually trying to jump start labor and I said no thank you. My odyssey back to work was absurd. I hopped on the m4 on the UES which did not give me a transfer. At 110At the bus got stuck (it is snowing much more than originally forecast) and detoured up Frederick Douglass. When I asked the driver when he was heading back south he said never and gave me a transfer for the M60, which I caught at 125th St for two seconds. This bus also got stuck, there had been an accident blah blah I found myself hiking up a steep hill (no cabs) from 125 down to 1115 and then up another to get to Broadway. Suffice it say I got my workout for the day. I think if you bet Jan 27, 29, or 30th you are going to lose. Here's to more pregnancy and less snow!

Yo Mama!

As I focused on the crunchy snow below my feet walking home from the gym, a huge black man hollered out to me
Yo Mama! Twins?
Yup.
You fucking with me?
Nope.
Last girl I spoke to with a belly like that went into labor.
Please do not say that. I am not ready.
Nah. Congratulations. (big smile)
Never a dull moment in the hood.

Oggi

Today was a good day. Productive at work without getting too tired. Met with my sister to tackle the Smart Board after school (ugh, technology!). Good physical therapy session (my last before labor I ask myself every week?). On the 2 train on the way home I had too many bags and it was too crowded. One stop later seats opened up but were quickly snatched. I now officially look like I am either 9 months pregnant or a sci-fi character but nobody offered me a seat.. A black man (what I often wish I were) asked me if I wanted to sit. He was standing and I said "Oh, I am okay" and just moved over. He then proceeded to tell another young black man to get up and give me his seat. Like an order, but polite. I smiled and thanked both of them (the one who gave up his seat was not amused) and felt grateful for being a New Yorker.

Updates...

Babies- Still inside, more people are soon to lose the bet if I can make it. Jan 29 is my earliest acceptable date with Jan 31 or Feb 1 being preferable. Wed am I see Dr. C again and I will hear if B is in the right direction.

Me- I can breathe again. Hope it lasts. Back to school tomorrow but I will mostly observe.

The leaks- After some angry emails F got come results today. Responses at least. I guess it does not pay to be nice. Here are some excerpts from F's emails..he cracks me up1

 If I looked annoyed is because I AM annoyed/frustrated although not at you but rather at the situation....Since we are on the subject, I'd like to inform the board that if by any chances there are going to be damages to the heating pipes due to this water hammer situation (please let's stop believing that it si normal or that it will go away "soon") our unit will not be responsible for one PENNY, since i have been warning the board since day one. I am at the board's disposal to take constructive part in resolving the matter. I am willing to chip in and particiapate. I am not willing to just sit and wait.


Now they are going to send someone to break (help!) Mojo's ceiling to see if they can see what is going on. I am not sure what this will accomplish besides a bigger mess in their room but at least it is action.




So, all in all everything is under control. Breathe in and out. Turn Baby B. Stay Babies Stay. Breathe. Breathe.

Evening Comments

When the kids do not listen I often say "Do I speak Chinese?" (Not very p.c. but sounds a lot better in Spanish). M said to me- Do you know what Chinese people say when their kids do not listen? What am I speaking English?

J to me- I love you in China and Paris. Even I love you in Miami.

Me to me- Are the babies in a sleeping bag in there or are they free and naked?

J to me- Kids do not make problems.

Here I Am...

Trying to make the best of this freezing day at home. I will have to eventually go out to get the kids and I will go to the workshop since it is at the same place (school) and I do not want to have more to make up later post twins. I am planning on some sleep to recuperate the two hours I was up doing nothing in the middle of the night. Maybe I can pay some bills. I am coloring my hair (not very well- I need my professional spouse's help for an impeccable job) and sort of regretting staying home. Oh well, I will do my best to rest and think babies staying in thoughts. Bundle up New Yorkers!

Breathless

I think I know how severely overweight people feel. As of yesterday I feel very heavy and tired and my heart is beating fast when I hardly move. I am short of breath. I am at the end. I am sorry that I might not make it out of January. I felt confident and resilient until yesterday, all of a sudden. I am taking most of tomorrow off and just attending a workshop at school in the afternoon. I hope to make it to Wednesday's appointment with Dr. C. Baby steps. But no babies yet please.

Not So Bad..

Maybe a neighbor was pouring a bucket of water abouve the closet? There was only one cascade. No more water anywhere for now but there is more snow and rain in the forecast so I will not get excited. Not a single person answered my leak email even though I am sure they all read email all the time on their phones. We went to sleep very late since midgets were not here and F built the huge (but beautiful) IKEA unit for their room. There is still more work to be done but I am excited to be able to (finally!) put away some twin clothes and organize the room. I feel better. Today is the 12th day of dilation with no birth. I think twin B will turn. We are on our way!

M's Reaction to The New Baby

Like I mentioned earlier, my good friend M, who happens to be J's teacher and the mother of my daughter's best friend, had a baby this morning. This threw my M into cuckoo mode as it meant that she could no longer sleep at her best friend's house tonight as she had been planning to do. I told her it was selfish and it did not matter "I do not want to be selfish but I really do not want that baby to be born now." In order to appease her we set up a sleepover at abuela's house. Nevertheless she had another meltdown at the end of the day because she wanted to go to the hospital with her best friend to meet the new baby. I told her that was inappropriate. M spent the afternoon making cards for the whole family. To the baby's father (sounds like a threat to me!): Dear R, I want to see the baby. Love M. To the mother: Dear Ms. S, I am happy you had a baby. Love, M. To her friend; Dear E, Congratulations on the birth of your baby brothor G. Love, M. She is crazy but she sure is sweet.

Leak Update

Here is the message I just wrote to my contact at the roofing company. There is now a mini waterfall in the children's closet...
I am trying to be polite here but my next move is blowing up their office:)

Dear Ms. Caggiano, 

I just left you a voicemail at work (I cannot find your cell number) imploring you to help us with our leak situation. I am not sure how or why but we seem to be the only unit experiencing multiple leaks all over the apartment. My children's (the master) bedroom is completely unlivable, with the entire ceiling showing damage and a big spot leaking (some has already fallen), and we just discovered a mini waterfall from the door frame of their closet to accompany the falling ceiling  Unlike in the past, we also have *new* water damage in the living room. We are currently all 4 sleeping in my bedroom and I am 8.5 months pregnant with twins. This is, as you can imagine, VERY STRESSFUL. I know my husband F emailed you earlier in the week when this started (tues) but we did not hear back and we really need your immediate (even if temporary) solution as we literally, cannot live in our home. More and more of the apartment is getting ruined (buckled floor, water damaged items) and becoming uninhabitable. We have buckets and tarps all over the place and this is very disheartening. I will not go into further details but you get the picture. I realize that the leak problem is more complex than originally thought but we need some sort of immediate help please.

Please contact me or F asap via email or telephone.

V

Redeeming Dr. C

Okay, we will never be best friends. We will never think the same way, but today, Dr. C got lots of points with yours truly. As I described in a hostile fashion, we had words at our last meeting. I emailed her to assure her and explain my position. I found her response to be mechanical and uninteresting. Today she called me and told me she had emailed me an article about twin vaginal deliveries (I have not read the whole thing yet because it is very technical and medical) and that she had been consulting with colleagues about my wishes versus hers. She told me she did not want to be obstinate and that she was trying to make me happy while doing her job as safely as possible (this is where we differ, on the definition of safe as opposed to risky legally). She also said that if she were me and had delivered two big babies naturally she would want the same thing. I do appreciate her thought and consideration, even if she will not let up with the epidural plan. I am going to speak, upon her suggestion, to one of her twin specialist colleagues. I also think that if B turns this will all be moot. The happy part of this is that she seems to be thinking and being more considerate. I feel better.

Baby Reality

My good friend and colleague gave birth this morning. A nice big boy, 7lbs 11oz and only five minutes of pushing! I have a strange feeling about her delivery. This happened to me when she gave birth to her daughter in August 2004. I went to the hospital, very pregnant with M, and had a sudden urge to not give birth. I will certainly not be able to avoid it but watching someone you see daily go from pregnant to not pregnant is somehow shocking, as obvious as it is. I hope to last a bit longer, it has been twelve days since I was "diagnosed" at 3cm!, but I am in no rush. Stay babies stay. Turn Twin B Turn.

Time

Last year F and I had the pleasure of going to hear Jeff Bridges speak at Lincoln Center. Aside from being a great actor, Bridges spoke movingly about his relationship with his parents in a way that few adults do or can. He described many of the traditions and routines that he shared with them, but one that stuck out for me was "time." This hour per week per child was designated to do anything with his mother. He described how as a little kid it was just one on one playing and as a teenager it could be something as simple as having her rub his feet. As basic as it sounds, quality time is really important. We all suffer from a lack of quality time  as we work, get interrupted by the phone, are bombarded by the Internet etc. One on one face time is increasingly rare. My mother used to take us each for a "special program" (one on one time) as well as kids and yesterday, as I sat on the bus with just J (M was at a play date), I realized how basic and nice alone time can be. J and I chatted, he mostly spoke, as our trips home are usually negotiations between him and his sister, snacks etc. We spent the afternoon watching his choice of cartoons, playing with Magnatiles and action figures and okay, I will admit it, me lying a lot like a beached whale on the couch. M and I recently got some alone time as I took her to ice skating, just the two of us, for the past two weekends. I need to remember the importance of alone time for each child. Even if it will never be a weekly hour and even if I will have to defer to F to dole some of it out. My kids are already so big and grown up some time that I wonder where the hell has time gone? I would like to remember in the future.

Week 35; Shut Up and Deliver!

Dr. C spent most of our visit talking to me about my "birth plan"- without a doubt an over-discussed topic at this point. She is so irritating to me that I will not get into details but suffice it to say that I am still 3cm dilated, long cervix (ie labor not imminent) and twin B is not head down so she is torturing me with an epidural. She thinks it will be to painful to turn B once A is out and that I will collaborate better if I am on drugs. So, once again we are talking about what is best for her and she has altered her reasoning (just twin A down used to be enough and the epidural was in case of an emergency C-section, not for pain). I think I am pretty done talking to her. I have abuela I on the mission to turn B and even he/she does not (they do a sonogram when you are in labor to check) I will most likely refuse the epidural because it makes no sense. Dr. C also wanted to induce me in two weeks (doubt I will last) to avoid going into labor at night because "all of the right people might not be there." She told me a few lies that I called her on (like "nobody on EARTH would let you deliver like you want"- I replied "You mean on the Upper East Side?") and we agreed to disagree for now. I assured her that even though she thinks I am difficult I am interested in following her directions, without drugs, during labor. We shall see. I see her again in a week and I think we need to chat less and just see what happens. I should have switched doctors when I still could!

Predictions Update

Well, I am still here. The three of us are still one. So, this means that my mother in law, two NJ friends (parents of twins) and maybe my stepmother and daughter (assuming I make it through today and tomorrow) have lost. Okay, three lost and two are about to. Mostly everyone else guessed way later in the month or in February so it will be interesting determining the winner. Closest without going over? Like The Price Is Right? Dr. C changed my appointment from this am to this pm so we shall see what news she has. If Twin B is still standing she will surely have more dramatic words. As I lay in the hospital two nights ago I remembered, in a way that you do not with your mind and imagery but with other senses, a little about the pain and uncomfortable and never-ending nature of labor. I am not ready. And I also do not want an epidural sticking out my back as I labor. There are already too many monitors and cables involved (one for each baby heartbeat plus one for contractions), no more extra crap please. The hospital just called to verify my insurance. Everyone is getting ready. Except for me. Last Monday 3cm for 3 weeks sounded crazy. I made it 9 days so far. I may have another 12 in me. Why not? More news later bettors. Still not too late to bet (unless you already lost) or to change your predictions..

In The Middle of Spanish Class Yesterday...

J- I will miss you when you leave to take care of your babies.
Pobrecito, I assured him that I am leaving class but not him but who knows how a 3.11 year old views the impending change.

This Is Just A Test...

The ER incident was fading from my mind as I reveled in the possibility of actually taking advantage of a day off to sleep, catch up. No such luck. My sub, who has been by my side for weeks, is deathly ill and Tuesdays are my busiest day. So I went to school but hoped to skip today, since I have an appt. with Dr. C mid-morning. Just to keep life interesting and to really test my"new" relaxed-I want to avoid labor and pulled chest muscles attitude, I came home to a DISASTER. Water had not only leaked all over the children's bedroom, but there was also a new leak in the living room! F was smart and had covered the bed with a shower curtain but the water still made the floor buckle in their room and still soaked the antique rug in the living room. Breathe in breathe out. Living with tarps and buckets all over the place, sleeping with MoJo in my room (plus the crib, which is now assembled and hence stuck in my room), this is not what kills me. What kills me is that there is some structural fucking defect in the building which makes fixing the ceilings pointless until they fix the bigger problem. We just redid the kids' ceiling after living with it looking atrocious for over a year because they had allegedly fixed the problem. I am speechless. The livable surface area in my apartment is shrinking. But this is just a test, because the real challenge is just around the corner. And, after making you read this long paragraph of bitching, I acknowledge that everything is relative. We are all healthy, I am not indigent, and this is just a test. I will try to stay in one piece and to pass.

ER Anyone?

So the chest pain never got better and maybe it was getting worse? Could it be heartburn? F was worried. He wanted me to call Dr. C but I knew she would want to cover her ass and would send me to the ER. So I called my dad's friend, family friend, g.p. Dr. J. He was calm and asked questions and I was sure I was in the clear. He suggested I take some antacid in case it was heartburn and that we talk 40 min later. I texted him, I feel the same but I am going to bed, I think I pulled a muscle. 3 minutes later he called me and said he would meet me in the ER that he could not tell someone with chest pain to just go to sleep. Crap, I should have never told anyone. To make a long story short, my brother came over so I could go to Mt. Sinai with F. Bad news: it was snowing hard, good news: when you are as pregnant as I am you go directly in and everyone is scared of you. I was sent to maternal delivery blah blah even though my chest hurt. An EKG, many  heart monitors, cervix check, sonogram later I learned that 1) I am an asshole for screaming so hard that I hurt myself (pulled chest muscle), 2) I am still 3cm dilated but twin B is now feet down (clearly confused), 3) I am having contractions. The rationale with the latter is apparently that if you do not feel them (which I did not really) they do not matter. They called Dr. C against my will (everyone and their mother being perplexed as to why I had not called her- my chest hurt not my vagina!) and said that she would decide if I had to stay for "a few hours" for further monitoring or if I could go home. Dr. C was thankfully half asleep or aware of how I would feel about staying so they let me go right after they admitted me (what a waste of a bracelet!) Now I am blogging as poor F looks for parking (damn Law & Order filming!) so that we can squeeze 3.5 hours of sleep in before work/school. I am grateful to be home, I forget how much I dislike hospitals and to be quite honest I am too lazy to labor right now. Buona notte/buon giorno!

J the Jokester

J liked getting "jello" in his hair post haircut.
__

J- Wipe me!
Me- I think you can wipe yourself. How much longer am I going to wipe you?
J- Until I am a teenager.
M- You will not be able to go to parties if mamá has to wipe your butt.
__
J to me- I love you 100 hours.
__
J listening to music from two different sources.
Me- You cannot listen to two different songs at the same time.
J- Why not? I have two ears.
__
To my umpteenth request for something..
J- Yes my beautiful mother.

When You Do Not Need A Day Home With Your Children

What a crappy day. We stayed in for 12 fucking hours (minus a one hour break to the barber shop and CVS) waiting for a plumber, some roofers and other workers who came, saw, and did shit. The ceiling in the kids's room is about to cave in again. Woo hoo. M and J could not have behaved any worse and I realize that yelling is not only unpleasant and bad for me but not particularly useful, good for the babies or for anyone. My chest started hurting after my first major meltdown and it still hurts. Fabulous. Sometimes it is just good to admit that you did a bad job, were a subpar mother, and that you wish your children would go away. Work would have been much better than what I and they endured today. Off to do anything that does not involve my children.

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

It has been almost a week since I learned that I am 3cm dilated and I still feel the same. Once again, while I may go into labor at any time, the mind is a strong force and now that I am not fearful of it and have had a medical opinion confirm that 3cm is not a big deal, I think I could make my goal of 36 or so weeks. I will try not to get ahead of myself and make it to at least Wed (next ob appt) and week 35. 35 weeks still seems like so little. If nature made it 40 weeks for a single baby I cannot imagine how 35 could be enough for two! If anything I would think you needed longer not less to properly cook two, but who knows. I'm trying to focus on staying pregnant, enjoying since it is almost surely the very last time, and basking in the gratitude of having been amazingly back-pain free and always feeling great despite my HUGE belly. Last time I went to the doctor I was in the 170s and I weighed 185 when M was born and 199!! when J was born, so this has definitely been my healthiest pregnancy. Thank you body and thank you nature for making it so easy so far. Now all I need is a fast natural double delivery and a miracle talent for double nursing!

As We Sat at the Lunch Table Waiting for F..

M- Thank goodness we are not royal. Otherwise we would have to wait for the servants and for everyone to sit down to eat.

Music Critic

At their sleepover at abuela's house, J did not want to share his beloved drums with his sister. After accepting that she shares her dollhouse and that he had to share, he proclaimed, "I do not care if she plays my drums but she has not talent."

Week 34 and Change

I went for my final sonogram today and I am happy to report that the twins have grown! Granted these estimates can be up to 15 % off in either direction, I have cleared the 5lb mark and this makes me so happy. Twin A is estimated to be 5 lbs 12 oz and Twin B 5lbs 11oz. Their lungs looked good, lots of amniotic fluid and they move around like crazy. The Dr. at the hospital did not think that it was interesting that I was 3cm dilated (she did not even check me which I hoped she would) and said I could last for weeks like that. I hope so! It has been 5 days since I learned of the dilation and I feel the same. Another 10 days at least? 15 please? Maybe 20? February would be nice. On a funny note, J asked me to make him a bed under the crib last night. I told him it was not a great place to sleep because he would have to get up every time a twin did and get his step stool, take the baby out, feed it, burp it.. he agreed to everything but changing diapers. He really thinks I am going to let him sleep on the floor and be a night watchman. Too damn cute. MoJo is off to a sleepover tonight and another one tomorrow. This might be my last weekend with such a luxury. Check out the film blog, www.skipriporplay.blogspot.com to read about all the great films I plan on seeing in their absence.

Today's Insights

When I told M that I loved the hand me down snow boots that she got but that they were too big..
M- Can I save for afterlife?
Me- What is that?
M- Meaning in a lifetime.
J when they were talking about dreams at school...
I have dreams but they are inappropriate.
His teacher- What are they about?
J- I am not going to tell you.
Now, he has told me and I am not sure whether or not he really ever dreamt it but the dream involves naked ladies and poop. Kinky and weird at his age?!

15 Years!!

Today marks the 15 year anniversary of the beginning of my journey with F. We started as kids with a smooch outside a subway station in Rome and here we are, 2011. Almost four children later, many trips and adventures and a mortgage later and... I sort of feel the same. Sure we have grown up (and sideways) and I am grayer and we pretend to be adults. But,  (not that) deep down, we still like to rock out to the same (now dated) music, watch movies, cook and eat, travel, and smush in bed. I am lucky to have such a patient man by my side. who puts up with not only me, but my whole family!! Buon anniversario amore. I look forward to our 40/20 party in 5 years. Ti amo sempre di piú.

Predictions Thus Far

So this is what I got..

My oldest little sister in FLA says:

however... i think it's going to be two girls... (sorry)

born around 8 pm on february 1st?

21 minutes apart

6-7 lbs each

My dear friend in Tanzania says...

  I think it's two boys, although I'm rooting for a girl and a boy. Born middle of January, 30 minutes apart. Love Santiago and Matteo especially that one is a Spanish name and the other Italian.

My film blog buddy says..

2 boys, Feb 13, 7lbs each,

My NYC twin sister says..

2 boys, Feb 8/9, 7lbs each

My Spaniard friend back In France says..

1boy, 1girl, Feb 8. 2.9kg and 3kg

My mother says..

 2 boys, Jan 30, 3kg each

My stepfather says...

1 boy, 1 girl, Jan 30, 7/7.5 lbs

My brother says...

1 boy, 1 girl, Feb 3, 6 lbs 9oz / 6lbs, 6oz (he notes that labor will be "long and tortuous"

My sister's boyfriend says..

 2 boys, Feb 5, 6.5 /7.2 lbs

DB says..

 1 boy, 1 girl, Feb 7, 6.8/7lbs

SD says..

2 girls, Feb 11, 6lbs 11oz/ 7lba

My spouse says...

1 girl, 1 boy, Feb 10, 7/7.3lbs

SC says..

1 girl, 1 boy, Jan 29, 6lbs/5.11oz

My mother in law..

2 boys, Jan 13, 5lbs/5.5lbs

My father..

2 girls, Feb 4, 4.9/5.4 lbs

LvH:

1 girl, 1 boy, Jan 17, 5.4/5.8lbs

WT:

 2 boys, Jan 17, 5.5/6lbs

AH:

 2 girls, Feb 12, 5lbs/6lbs

MB:

2 boys, Feb 9,  6lbs 11 oz/ 7lbs 3oz

AC:

2 girls, Feb 10,  7lbs 2 oz/ 6lbs 12oz

IF:

 1 boy, 1 girl, Feb 11, 7.6, 8.2 lbs

KW:

 2 girls, Feb 2, 7.5/7.2 lbs

KB:

1 girl, 1 boy, Feb  1, 5.6 lbs each

My stepmother..

2 girls, Jan 19, 5.07/5.3 lbs

Please feel free to change or add your predictions. In light of recent dilation I sadly do not think that Feb is a choice but I am hopeful!

Getting Ready...

My children definitely feel the change about to happen. They alternate between being needier, worse behaved, more affectionate..,
When J woke up yesterday the first thing he asked was, "Are the twins coming today?" He has been saving toys for them and talking about them for a while.
M told me she wiped her camera clean yesterday afternoon to have room for twin pictures and videos she wants to take. When I put her to bed she asked me if people die having babies. Of course not (white lie) I replied. She kept reiterating and asking if people could die right after. Apparently she got this in her head because the spider in Charlotte's Web dies giving birth. I assured her no humans die having babies. She also asked me to write her a note for when I am in the hospital like I did last time for her and J (I think she is confusing J's birth with my back surgery when I indeed left them a note).
Lots of people I love are also somehow internalizing the impending arrival. One friend recently dreamt that I had 24 kids (for a total of 26), another good friend dreamt that I had a boy and a girl but they were toddlers at birth, and a friend I never speak to dreamt that I had one and one but F was away (as he was yesterday) and I named them Francesca and Francisco and nicknamed them OA. Weird indeed. Later today I will transcribe all of the birth predictions for your entertainment and it is not too late to participate. I am still in one piece. Happy Snowy Day!

I Am a Teenager

J remarked that he had little tetas.
M- those are pimples.
J- I have pimples? Then I am a teenager!
M used to call them nibbles but now they are pimples:)

Winding Down...

I feel like I am being forced into early retirement. My boss spent the day telling that it was okay to not come in tomorrow because of the snow, even if school were open. When I thanked her and told her I might come in late she was not satisfied. At the end of the day she told me that I and the other pregnant teachers were not allowed to come in. Not sure if this is kindness and consideration or a legal precaution like with my doctor. I went to pt for maybe the last time and he seemed nervous that I would go into labor right there too. I guess my belly has exponentially exploded in the last few days but pregnancy is not a disease and you do not go into labor and drop a baby on the floor (I wish). I find it comical how anxious people get. I went to Street Squash post pt to tutor for most likely the last time in a while. There are no sessions and next Tues and if I am still pregnant in two weeks I cannot commit to tutoring in 14 days. So, I am condemned to my home tomorrow and I do not have a closet for the twins yet so I cannot even use it to get organized. Everyone is praying for a snow day and I already have one but do not want it. The grass is always greener..

Knuffle Bunny

I just peeked in to see M reading a story to J's class. So damn cute. She stayed for snack with them. Looked huge. Hard to believe it was her class two years ago.

Incredible Nature

The body and the mind are a wise and amazing machine, creating in synch, well, the miracle of life. If you really just stop to marvel at what it does, you will look at every human being like I sometimes do. I look at a random person and think about two people loved (or hopefully at least lusted over) each other to impregnate a woman, who in turn grew a human being (!) in her womb for nine or so months, and then like a flawless automatic oven popped the baby out. I know it does not get any more basic than that but it also does not get any more advanced or perfect. It blows my mind to think that EVERYone you see everywhere was a baby, probably came out of a vagina and was made with two tiny ingredients. So, getting back to my awe for the human body...I went to bed a bit nervous (note my 5am blogging time) that I could go into labor without the father of my children being here. Then I breathed and remembered the power and perfection of not just the body but also the mind. When M was due to be born on Nov 11, 2004 while F ran the NYC marathon on Nov 7 and everyone panicked that he might not make it if I went into labor while he was in the middle of Brooklyn. When J was due on Feb 20/21 and everyone convinced me that number twos come early, F opted (I was NOT behind him on this one) to go to China in early February and risk coming back to a son named Rocco with my last name. Alas, I would not really do that to him (the having the baby not the naming part:)) so J was born nice and late February 28. So, I have to believe that even though I am surprisingly dilated (my friend due before me is .5cm!! and I am 3cm!!) I will not have these babies today, or tomorrow, and quite frankly hopefully not even next week. My new mantra is 3cm for 3 weeks. I do not even know if this is even possible but I would like to set a record and continue to defy medical odds. Stay pregnant for 3 more weeks at 3cm. Crazy? Probably, hence the name of my blog. Back to bed to nap before the other midgets wake up and we take the bus to school.

All Praise to Abuela!!

So I saw Dr. C and twin A is down in pole position. Thanks to all of you who thought or even said the three magical words. I am a witch (or a bitch) so in addition to my own personal joy at having a shot at natural childbirth,  I enjoyed seeing her disappointment and stressed out look at the prospect of having to deliver these babies the old fashioned way. I was so elated by the news that post dr.  I bought an $8 sandwich at EAT and topped it off with a huge muffin. I feel like setting up the crib may have set this all in motion. Another piece of surprising news is that I am already dilated. I am not too excited about this since a) F is in Canada and b) twins are probably 4.5/5lbs each at this point. If you are into chanting I would politely (or politefully as my brother once said and I liked) request that you switch to "stay babies stay." I am not ready yet. Dr. C insists on an epidural (without medication but just in case) because she thinks trying to turn twin B once A is out will be painful. I think if I get one out I can handle that kind of pain. Off to bed. Bonne Nuit.

Reality Sets In (Sort of)

I am not quite sure why this is, but I cannot really grasp what is about to happen. I still have some time (I hope) but until this weekend had not done a single thing to prepare for the double arrival. Today that all changed and now I feel nervous (reailty)  whereas before I was fine (denial). I am at the point where strangers feel obliged to comment "Any day now huh?" or "You are about to go" or even better, talk about me in another language (too bad it was Spanish) and argue about whether my belly could be so big with just one baby. Okay, so I am at the end. And today F assembled the crib and J asked "Are the babies coming today?" And I thought it was a cute and ridiculous question, but it is actually right on target. On the one hand I want them to be born (a little) for the uncertainty of birth to be over and to finally see them and not look like a science fiction character etc. On the other hand, I am in no rush since I am not in pain or much discomfort, I do not want teeny babies, and I do not know how I will function when they are here. Tomorrow I get to check (again) if the twin A is on board with my plan of turning (and if abuela I's control mental works). Friday I have my final growth sonogram. More news soon. In the meantime, I look at the crib that has taken over my room (we now look like a family of gypsies with crap everywhere) and wonder why it is there.

Happy Birthday María!

To my dear dear friend in a faraway land who just added another girl to her brood.... ¡Feliz Cumpleaños!
Te quiero y te extraño...

As I Put My Lovely Son to Bed

I noticed that a Beatles cd was in the player instead of the sleep cd. I said, "This is not appropriate for sleeping." He said, "It is appropriate you moron."
Excuse me?
I did not call you a moron. I called you boron.
(nice)

Starvation

As I stood on a chair this am trying to reach some of M's 10000 books I told her I was not going to bring them all down because it was too many. Response: Please, I am starving for those books, I need all of them.

Today's Comments

M referred to an icy place we were watching in a video as "Aunt Erica" (reminded me of when my sister thought assisted medical suicide was "youth in Asia."
She watched MLK's "I have a dream speech" today in school and told me that she has to make up her own dream. She explained to me that it cannot be "like I want a Wii in every room of my house." She chose her dream to be for everyone to be fair to each other.
As she showered with J today she asked me "Can we P-L-A-Y? I like to spell words more than say them because it is more grown-upish." Later on I heard her tell her brother to "guard" her to make sure that no soap got in her eyes.:)

33 Weeks...The Countdown Begins

So I have to make to at least 35 (considered term for twins?!) but would love to make it to 38. I am not sure if I can. Today, in particular, I feel like a Mack truck hit me. I am tired. But not the kind of tired where I want to sleep. I just feel lazy when I think of all of the work that labor would require of me right now. The good news is that contrary to what everyone says, I feel the twins moving a lot which means it cannot be that tight in there which means that there is a chance (like Jim Carrey says) that A can flip over. Monday I see Dr. C and next Friday is my final hospital sonogram. I am hoping for stellar news, a burst of energy, and a record breaking twin delivery. Fat chance but it is good to dream. This weekend we plan to stop pretending that nothing is about to happen and to go to Ikea (currently we do not have a single square inch, drawer, surface on which to put a single twin item), Buy Buy Baby (maybe we should buy a bottle or two?), and perhaps I will even pack a hospital bag in case I have two babies in the near future.

J's Afternoon Comedy

J as he leaned in to talk to the twins- Are you ready- followed by- They are pooping, your belly is a toilet.
Me- When are they coming out?
J- When I speak Chinese.
Later he called his sister a delinquent (my fault for introducing this term). When I told him not to say that he responded- I am Mr. Delinquent and she is Mrs. Delinquent!

Deadly Cleaning...

When I told M that her room was a mess she told me,"I cleaned as much of it up as I could without dying."
As we looked at my moving belly J remarked, "I would freak out if rats came out of your belly" and M asked "Are they moving looking for the hole?"

Morning Humor

This am, like most, my kids came into my classroom to play before going to their own homerooms. J likes playing under my desk and now M has decided that it is their clubhouse. She put the following signs up under my desk: "Dear Mommy You are the only grown up that is alawd in a kids club. Love M." As well as "Only St Haladas and St Ayewes Kids.. (illegible)...Love M." "This is J and M's clubhouse. Thank you and happy new year." Funny gal.
A boy in my Pre-K class told me I was having "doubles" and another girl told me "If you accidentally have another baby you will have five kids." Very astute.

Back to School

So today was our first day back after a nice and long winter break. It was a little hectic getting ready and out of the door in the am, but all in all I think we were all ready and happy to be back. I am lucky to have a very easy going and helpful maternity sub already on board so I can take it pretty easy at work and get other things (doctor appts, Bt auction work etc.) done in my spare time. I am feeling a bit more sluggish than before but I am also not ready to deliver. I am amused by the endless moronic inquiries people make like "You are still here?" or "You are still pregnant.?" Yes, I am still here and pregnant. Hopefully you will be able to notice the difference when I am not and I am not. I am off to la camita because I am one tired mamma. ¡Buenas Noches!

M's Thoughts On Homelessness

Yesterday she told me she was going to be a person who helps homeless people when she grows up. This warmed my heart. Then she told me that it was sad "when you are homeless you are like a dog because you have to hunt for food and that is not fun." Another deep social thought by my six year old.