A day at the Zoo!

In the beginning of October, when Chris was in Texas for training, I took the children to the Hutchinson Zoo for a day of adventure. It's a very small Zoo, and it mainly have native animals of Kansas. Buffalo, deer, bobcat, mountain lions, monkeys, different birds, fox etc. They also have a small petting zoo for the children with some bunnies, goats and a lama.  It was the first time we had to take out our jackets as the wind was very chilly, but in the sun it was still nice and warm. Of course we have been a little bit spoiled this fall with wonderful warm weather and summer temperatures still in October, so it felt colder then it was. Benjamin and Isabella snuggled in the stroller when we got there, continuing the nap they took in the car.

They slept through most of the outdoor walk, and didn't get to see Cassandra's absolute favorites at the zoo, the see otters. They play and swim and put up quite a show every time we are there.

 Dinosaur slide!

 Just woke up from the noisy birds!

At the Zoo they also have an indoor place with monkeys and snakes, turtles and other creepy animals such as spiders etc. The monkeys were jumping around in their cage, and Benjamin and Isabella had a great time looking up at them! They really took everything in and it was great to see how interested they were!

 Isabella

 Benjamin

The lizard and the turtle.

At the bottom of the monkey cage, there was a big turtle and a big lizard. First we laughed at the lizard taking  jumping on to the turtle for a ride, but then we realized that the lizard actually tried to bite the turtle in the head all the time. Cassandra got very upset by this and told the lizard of and cheered the turtle on as crawled back into the shell.

 My beautiful children!!!

After the monkey house, we walked up to the pond to have a snack and to take a break. Cassandra also wanted to feed the big fish in the pond. We weren't the only ones feeding them, so they weren't that hungry. I took the opportunity to take a few pictures and a woman that was there with her grandchild asked if I wanted her to take a picture of all of us- of course!!

Before we left for the day, it was time for the babies to eat, Cassie of course took a ride on the little train they have there.We missed having daddy there, but we knew that he had some fun too this day. As it was Saturday they had no classes and he could try out one of the golf courses close to Dallas, TX.

If anyone would like to check out the Zoo, here's the link.
http://www.hutchgov.com/department/index.asp?fDD=18-0

Celine Dion - Miracle

TWINS!!??

October 22, 2009 - the day my life changed forever. As I wrote earlier here in my post "Baby A and Baby B", this was the day for the normal early ultrasound. I was in week 8, and it would just be a confirmation of the pregnancy- never could I have dreamed of what a surprise I would get!!!

With still having all the emotions going through my body - chock, happiness, worry and being scared of the unknown, the doctor called me in to the office after the ultrasound to talk about not just my baby, but my babies - my twins!!! I still remember how unreal it sounded when I heard those words - your babies - your  twins - for the first time. Not having twins in my family and not really having people close to me that have twins, I must say that I wasn't perfect aware of all the details of how/what/why and the correct terminology. The doctor gave a lot of information but at that moment it was hard to take it all in. Being home again, I did my research and here is some information for your knowledge taken from the useful website:
www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com

Conception of twins is caused by one of a few reasons. You have either ovulated two eggs that have been fertilized by two separate sperm. You are undergoing fertility treatments (in which case, your doctor will have already spoken to you about the possibility of multiple birth). Or, you have ovulated one egg that has been fertilized by one sperm and then spontaneously split in half. You may want to read more about the differences between Identical vs Fraternal Twins.

During these early weeks, unless you have an inkling you may be having twins, you will likely be unaware that you have two growing babies. Most commonly, confirmation by ultrasound is the ultimate answer. Although, many twin moms will experience heightened pregnancy symptoms, none of them are definitive of twins.

From week 4 to 8 your twin embryos will each grow from around 3/500 of an inch to around 1 inch long and weigh less than an ounce each. Their brains, bladders, kidneys, livers, spines, reproductive organs, arms and legs are all starting to develop, as well. Around 6 weeks, twins are usually visible via ultrasound.

From week 8 to 12, the last month representing the embryonic stage, your twins are swiftly progressing in their development They will have quadrupled in both length and weight. Even during these early weeks, it's fascinating to know that their teeny nail beds are starting to form along with the buds for their baby teeth. They are distinctly human at this point with the most minuscule fingers, toes, genitalia, and eyelids.

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What You May Be Experiencing

At this early stage of pregnancy, even with twins, your symptoms will likely be very similar to those of a singleton pregnancy. Though, you may experience heightened symptoms like mentioned earlier. The most common being, fatigue, appetite swings and/or nausea (with or without vomiting) and breast tenderness. Generally speaking, women who experience a twin pregnancy as a consecutive pregnancy with a singleton, may well be more "in tune" with particular signs. 

FRATERNAL TWINS

Fraternal twins (dizygotic) occur when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm. Two separate babies with no more in common than siblings born at different times are formed. Fraternal twins can be the same sex and/or blood type. They always have separate placentas, but their placentas may fuse together during the course of pregnancy and appear as one at birth. Fraternal twins will never share the same amnion and chorion. Twins that are male and female and or have different blood types can easily be determined as fraternal. Lastly, fraternal twins may be due to hereditary influences.

Fraternal twins can share many similarities in appearance just like any brother or sister of the same family. Though, I have known fraternal twins that were in fact difficult to tell apart. A great example of this is the famous Olsen twins (a.k.a. Mary Kate and Ashley), who claim to be fraternal twins. Generally though, fraternals are distinct enough to recognize who is who with ease. And it's a no brainer when they are of different sexes.

Now on to the "why" factor. Fraternal twins are actually the most common type of twinning. While identical twins happen for no apparent reason, fraternal twins come about due to a number of factors. Because hyper-ovulation (releasing two or more eggs at one time) can be inherited, it is common to have several sets of fraternal twins throughout many generations in one family. These fraternal twins are generally considered hereditary. See Odds Of Having Twins.

It's a common misconception that twins only come down through the mother's side. This only holds true when the father is the one with twins in the family or is a twin himself and he is also the one trying to conceive twins. To put it a bit more simply, the male only provides the sperm, whereas, the female is the one who either ovulates two eggs (fraternal twins) or one egg that splits (identical twins). That's why a woman can still inherit the hyper-ovulation gene from a grandmother, aunt, etc. on her father's side. But her father would not have had any hereditary chance of having twins himself when he had his child/children.

An added reason for having fraternal twins is the age of the mother at conception. The chance of fraternal twins is more prevalent in women 35 years of age and older. And yet another growing cause of fraternal twins is the use of fertility treatments. If you are undergoing these treatments, your doctor will have already informed you of the possibility of a multiple birth.

Fun Fact: There are basically five common variations of twinning. The most common type of twinning is fraternal, male-female twins. This particular combination makes up approximately 40 percent of all twins born, followed by fraternal girls, then fraternal boys. After that, there's identical girls, then identical boys. The latter being the least common type of twinning.

With the information received from my ultrasound, I knew that I was expecting fraternal twins. My ultrasound pictures looks just like the one above taken in week 8 with the two sacks very clear. I also knew that it wasn't just luck, but that my chances of having fraternal twins went up because of me being 36 years old at the time of conception. What I didn't know until later in the pregnancy was that I was expecting the most common type of twins: fraternal male/female.

Compared to my pregnancy with Cassandra, I did experience heightened symptoms. I was very tired and I had my double share of nausea during these early weeks of pregnancy. Plus that my baby bump was growing much faster and much bigger than with Cassandra.

My earliest belly picture taken in week 12.

Being so big so early I had to buy my first pair of pregnancy jeans. I absolutely loved these stretch jeans, and could actually wear them almost until the end. Feeling big already then - I couldn't even imagine how big I would be in the end!!!

3. Grade

My beautiful third grader!

August 23, it was time to go back to school again. Cassie was excited to go back, she loves school and after meeting her new teacher, Mrs. Ediger, a few evenings earlier for the Open school night, she was ready to start third grade. They have two third grades here in her school, and they had mixed up the two second grades from last year, so some friends were the same but some were new. I'm hoping that she this year will have the chance to meet a really good friend -  the "best friend" kind of friend. 

Cassandra has always had it easy to make friends and she plays and get along with most kids, but a friend that she can claim to be her very best friend has yet to come. I'm hoping for her that this will be the year!!

I wasn't sure that I wanted school to start - what am I going to do without my helper here at home??!! As my husband works so long hours it has been Cassandra that has been there during the days to help out with the twins. She is a wonderful sister and loves her sister and brother so much, is so sweet and they just can't get enough of her!!! They love it when she plays with them and makes funny faces or talks silly! 

Well, I'm sure that the twins will learn very fast that sister is not available all the time anymore -they will be very happy though when she comes home from school and they finally get to see her again!

 Isabella & Benjamin waiting for Cassandra to come home from school.

 3 Months

Tired of waiting...

Schoolstart 2. Grade

Totally forgot to post the pictures of the first school day in 2. Grade. Here they are!!

School starts at 7.45am and ends at 3.10pm. Every day - same schedule. Sounds maybe boring, but the children actually seems to like it. They know what comes next and gets into the routine of things very easy and there is not a lot of time wasted in explaining what comes next or what will be on the schedule after recess..They know it and take out the books before the teacher even tells them after awhile. I'm so glad that my little girl - that isn't that little anymore - still loves to go to school and is excited about picking out her clothes, earrings, necklace, hair accessories for the next school day. As she said once as I told her to hurry up in the evening and get into bed " Mom- it's not just important to be smart in school, I can be a little pretty too"! So true!!!

 Chilly morning just as the sun rise! 7.30am

 Ready to go with new backpack and lunchbox!

 Back in school!

Waiting in the gym to be picked up from the new teacher.

2. Grade

2. Grade

August 2009-May 2010

In the beginning of second grade, Cassandra's class had a field trip to the Dillon Nature Center, to learn about erosion in science. The guide made great examples of how erosion takes place, what to think about when you build near water, what can happen if it rains to much in a short time etc. Very impressive! I had the chance to go with them as a volunteer, and I enjoyed the field trip very much. When we lived in NC, Cassandra always wanted to take the bus to school, but as we lived to close to school she was not on the bus list. One of the first things things that came up talking about moving to Kansas and changing school was right away - Maybe I get to ride on the bus to school when I go to my new school??!! Unfortunately for Cassandra, we here too live to close to school to be able to take the yellow bus. But- for field trips, they use the same bus, so she was very excited this morning!!! I thought it was funny that they still look just like you would see them in any typical movie.

http://www.hutchrec.com/dnc/

Cassandra finally got to ride on the school bus! 

Cassandra & Taybin on the bus.

Wonderful demonstrations!

Working back in the classroom.

 

Notice the large black leather sofa to the right in the picture? That's one special place in this classroom. It belongs to O'Reilly, the Golden Retriever that is working in their class. O'Reilly is the teacher Mrs. Curry's personal dog, but special trained to work with children in the school. Guess if everyone loves him!! Cassandra who would love to have a dog for many years, and that we keep telling "one day - maybe", kept her fingers crossed throughout the whole summer before she found out at school orientation night that she would attend Mrs. Curry's class!!! Happiness pure!!! Unfortunately this day Mr. O'Reilly had to stay at home due to the field trip.

Later that fall they had a fun day with lots of competitions. I was there to volunteer and help out at some of the stations, but there was still time to take a few pictures.

Here we have Mrs. Curry and O'Reilly lining the children up to go back to the classroom.

In October of course Halloween was celebrated. The children were not allowed to have their out fits on all day, only for the morning parade and there were many rules about what to wear and not. The costumes were not allowed to be gruesome, represent death, killing or violence of any kind. No weapons, scary masks or blood etc. Not that we would have a problem with choosing a costume anyway.....Princess Belle was of course totally accepted!

My "Cassie-Belle"

as I called her when she was younger wanting to have "Beauty and the Beast" read aloud every night...

In the spring another Music program was set up by Music teacher Mrs. McKenna. This time the Program was called "Eeei Eeei Uups!" and about the farmer Old McDonald's farm. The children could choose the animal that they wanted to be and all the animals had some singing- and dancing parts. Cassandra wanted to be a chicken, as they had a song called "Cute Chick" that was very funny. They had to make their own costumes to bring, and we had lots of fun working on it.

"Cute Chick"

 

Cassandra with Mrs. Curry, her second Grade teacher and Mrs. McKenna, her Music teacher.

 One happy girl after the surprise that daddy could drop by from work to see the show!

A few days later it was Cassandra's birthday. My big girl is already 8 years old!! Hard to believe, but time flies. As a tradition the birthday child get to bring treats for the class to celebrate on their birthday. This school has a policy that you only are allowed to bring food items that has been made and packed professionally. So there is no way that you can bake your own cake or cupcakes to bring. But on the other hand, as you don't know all the children and their families and their home conditions, I don't mind at all! At least then you know that it's has been made under some controlled and safe/clean conditions! Cassandra choose to bring one of her favorites, Ice cream sandwiches.

 

 The birthday girl and O'Reilly!

Two eggs had just hatched the night before in the classroom. They were so cute, but oh so noisy. They moved back to the farm the next day...;) Every week they had one child that was the "Student of the Week". This same week as her birthday, Cassandra happen to be the Student of the Week.

 

 
Cassandra worked very hard on hers, and everyone loved the picture of her family. Myself being pictured with a huge belly with Baby brother and Baby sister inside!!

In May all the mothers were invited for Mother's Day celebration in the classroom. The week before the children had to bring their favorite recipe to school, and they were now all put together as a "Mother's Day Cookbook" Very sweet and a great idea. They had all written inside and made a entry about their mom. I also received a gift, a frog that they had made in Art out of clay and a keyring with her picture.

The celebration was held on May 7, 10 days before the twins were born. I was HUGE here and in week 36. Unfortunately Cassandra is holding the cook book over my belly so one can't tell from this picture how big my belly was. The last weeks I had gained so much water weight and the last weeks my face also started to get all swollen. I hardly made it to the school, and everyone wondered why I wasn't in the hospital yet! I was so happy that I could be there with Cassandra, as this was going to be the very last Mother's Day that we had together just the two of us!!! That felt very special!

Here in the US they don't have a big graduation day or special celebration on the very last day of the school year. Often it's just a normal day, mostly filled with games and cleaning out the desks. They don't dress up like we use to do when I went to school in Sweden, and as I know that the children still do for their last day. Cassandra's class went to the water park that day! The only thing that is the same is that the children bring flowers or a little gift for the teacher on the last day.

"Mormor" picked Cassandra up from school when I was in the hospital and when we just came home. One can tell that we had been busy having twins, staying in the hospital and that my husband was working all the time. Mowing the lawn wasn't very high up on the priority around this time. After being home for a week, and the lawn still wasn't cut, our neighbor came over and asked if it was OK if he mowed our front yard as well as he was just done with his....I guess our front yard really stood out with weed growing high as two feet..Do I need to say that I gratefully accepted his offer?!

The last day was on May 26, and me and the babies were home from the hospital. As they still struggled with jaundice and had to be kept on their Bili Rubi lights, I couldn't take them to school and join Cassandra in the classroom. My mother stayed with the babies, so I could go and pick Cassandra up from school by myself, and to bring some flowers for the teacher. Cassandra was so ready for summer vacation and to be home with her new siblings!!!

Benjamin & Isabella with Cassandra - the best big sister in the world!