Violet is learning to Stand!

I can't believe Miss V is now 10 months old, and in a few short months will be an OLDER sister x's TWO! I'm really trying to just soak up all the time I can while it's just her. This is such a special time, and even though she won't remember it, Mommy sure will!

Here is a video link of her playing and practicing standing while at coffee time at Mamaw and Papaw Mustin's. Even though I was sick a lot during my time off from work, these were the moments I was glad to be able to share with everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgXbYSIvsTA

**I tried to download the video directly onto here but it was taking WAY too long, so you can enjoy it on youtube!!**

Back to the Land of the Living at 15 weeks!

Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated everyone! Shortly after my last entry I became VERY sick with what is medically called hyperemesis gravidarum. That just means I had really bad morning sickness which required me to be hospitalized for 3 days. I lost a significant amount of weight and was extremely dehydrated. All I can remember from that day is that I could barely walk into the doctors office, and I was throwing up about every 30 minutes. By the time I was admitted, I was in a world of hurt! After giving me meds for nausea and starting me on fluids my body started to ache and burn all over, which was normal according to the nurses for how dehydrated I was. The rest of my stay was a blur, just fluids and more fluids and anti-nausea meds, some that made me quite loopy and sleepy which was fine by me. When I was discharged, I can't say I felt a whole lot better, I was just tired of being away from Steve and Violet and sleeping in a hospital bed. The first night home was pretty miserable. I almost felt like I had made a mistake by leaving the hospital. Steve was taking care of everything and I was in the bedroom asleep. He started to make himself some dinner (a skillet meal) and the smell drew me from a dead sleep. I couldn't barely take it the smell was so awful. I asked him to bring me a dryer sheet to put on the other side of my sheet over my nose, but even that wouldn't do the trick. Finally, about to throw up AGAIN, I ran for the back door, and waited out the stench on the back porch until the smell had dissipated from the house. Poor Steve, he had no idea that making himself dinner would turn into such a fiasco.

The weeks passed and I had nausea and vomiting on and off so my doctor kept me out of work until yesterday, which was my first day back. I still get nausea almost every day, but it's controllable through medication, and I haven't been SICK in about 2 weeks, which is major improvement. Now I'm just ready to focus on the positive things in my pregnancy, enjoying our last months as a family of three, and getting ready for Violet's first Birthday CELEBRATION! I can hardly believe she's going to be one in just 2 months. She'll always be my sweet baby girl no matter how old she is, and I'm sure that will go over well in her teenage years! I'll update more tomorrow on Violet's latest achievements and progress...she's developing the cutest personality. So until then I'll leave you with this quote, that kind of reminded me of my current situation:
"YES I'm pregnant again, YES I know what causes it, NO I don't think I've had too many". - author unknown

Thank Goodness for my Husband!

I have to say the past week I've probably (okay definitely) been miserable to be around. I've been nauseated EVERY day 24 hrs a day 7 days a week for some time now, and it had started to weigh on me emotionally. Some days I just had to come home, drop my purse and head straight to bed. Steve was there to feed Violet, wash dishes, clothes, give her bath, put her to bed & get her bag ready for the next day. After all that, he still had homework to do. Let's not forget that this full-time Daddy & husband has a full-time job & full-time school work to do! He's been wearing more than his fair share of hats lately and I just wanted to have it IN WRITING how much I appreciate all that he does. I may not say it or look like I feel it enough, but I do appreciate everything he does to keep our little family running! So Honey, thank you so much, me and Violet and the Schoff twins could not do this without you. I know it's hard right now, but I won't be sick forever (it just seems like it - lol). I know sometimes it's difficult to understand what I am going through but you're patient with me anyway. You're an amazing partner, I'm so proud of how hard you work to keep us all going....I love you so much more than you'll ever know! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU (that's one "thank you" for every baby)! I love you!

SURPRISE! it's TWINS ~ 7 weeks

Well, most of you know by now the big surprise is out! We have been blessed with TWINS! Last week I had my first ultrasound, and as soon as the technician started, she said "Oh, you have dos". To which I said "Whaaaaat?" She then followed with, "You're having Twins, congratulations"!!!!! Okay, so good thing I was laying down because I probably would have fallen over if I had been standing. The news was definitely a shock to me and my mom, who happen to be there with me for my first appointment. Mom started crying, and I was surprised at myself that I held it together. My head was simply trying to grasp the amount of money it will cost to raise these wonderful babies, and how we will never again sleep for the rest of our lives! LOL Now that it's been a little over a week the idea is settling in. In fact, it feels like I've known there where twins all along!

As of today I am 7 weeks with MANY more to go! Nausea is a constant, and luckily vomiting seems to be a not so regular visitor which is nice. The only thing I am struggling with right now is fatigue. I could literally sleep all day and STILL be tired. I have almost zero motivation to get out of bed for work in the mornings, which makes me really miserable. The good thing is that I have Violet's sweet face to look forward to seeing every day. If it wasn't for her and Steve taking such good care of me I don't know what I would do!

Here are some photos of us at 7 weeks...

Violet is so happy she's getting TWO siblings!

Mommy & the Twins at 7 weeks

(amazingly I already have a tiny bump!!!)

God DOES have a sense of humor!

If my calculations are correct (and we find out tomorrow for sure) then I am at 5 weeks and 5 days along today.



I was watching my favorite show RHOC last night, and I started feeling nauseated. I took my anti-nausea medication - promethazine and slept pretty well. This morning I am still nauseated a little, but what's worse is the extreme fatigue! I almost threw in the towel and stayed home, but my lovely husband so eloquently reminded me to "push through it," so....i did...VERY reluctantly! I just sent said husband a lovely email stating, "I wanna go home"!! Then I went on to make some very notable observations.



I thought how funny it is that once you (as a Mommy) have your baby in your arms, it doesn't matter how horrible your pregnancy was, how much you puked, how much you needed sleep, how fat you felt or even how close to death you came bringing that baby into the world. When you look down at her, it's all ERASED, just magically erased from your memory. You look back with happiness at every moment you spent huddled over the toilet, begging for relief! All the while the Man upstairs has got to be looking down with a little giggle, or a smirk?!!!? Well, what's life without a good sense of humor? Thanks GOD! We'll see what kind of comedy I can work up for you this time around!

Baby Schoff #2...we are ready for you!

So today (4-6-2011), Steve and I made our familiar way back to Dr. Abbott's office to confirm baby # 2! On Sunday, I took a home pregnancy test and it came back positive. Steve and I were excited, and so was Violet although I'm not sure she totally grasped the idea!! I made an appointment immediately when I got to work on Monday morning. Dr. Abbott did confirm this morning that I have a positive pregnancy test. She is having me come back on the 19th to do the first ultrasound because it is too early to do it now. We are estimating I am 4 weeks today, so it is still very early. We are only sharing this information with immediate family, i.e. Mom's n Dad's....and hopefully if things go well, I will be able to post this in a couple of weeks and make it "official" with photos and all!



Baby Schoff,



I love you already, I am so happy you are giving me the chance to be a Mommy again for a second time. I can't wait for you to meet your big sister Violet, and just be in our lives! Our life is already better because of you.......we love you!



Mommy & Daddy

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone

MY FIRST ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

(almost 7 months old)