Cousins

This past weekend we had a family dinner at our house. I used to have them all of the time but once Calum came along found it harder to cook for 10 (the size of Mark's family not including the 2 babies, Calum and Rhys). Anyway, last weekend I had family dinner again on Sunday and it was perfect-forgot how much I enjoy preparing a big meal-planning the menu, cooking and the sitting down together and eating. The weather was gorgeous and it was a nice day, even if I was exhausted afterwards! Even treated myself to my first glass of post pregnancy wine. Yum.

Anyway, lately when we've had the two "babies" together, I've noticed how much more they are interacting. Rhy is Mark's sister Tracey's son, he will be 1 on April 23rd, the day before Calum turns 2 so there is exactly 1 year and 1 day between them. Calum loves "baby Rhys" and I think Rhys is starting to reciprocate-he seems to appreciate the noise and mayhem that comes along with C these days.

Thought these pics Mark took were pretty cute. As Mark says, Rhys actually looks more like his son then Calum does! Made me think maybe the twins might be the same-maybe they will be lucky and get the "brown" gene or have brown hair or brown eyes like Mark. Or maybe they will be blonde and blue eyed like Calum...

Our News

Me at 12 weeks(!)

Finally, 2 months to the day after finding out I was pregnant and almost 6 weeks after our first scan, I was able to tell the world (okay, Facebook) that Mark and I (and Calum!) are expecting twins!

We decided (okay, I convinced Mark) that we would start trying for #2 after Christmas and just like with Calum, I got pregnant in the 1st month. We got the result the day we went and did Calum's professional pictures and have a nice family shot that kind of captures the day. Of course I was excited but a little shocked that it happened so fast and then the feelings of OMG, can I really cope with 2 under 3 settled in. Along with the guilt of how will I love another baby as much as I love Calum and etc.

A few weeks later I had an early scan done, thinking I had an ectopic pregnancy (convinced, actually). Imagine our SHOCK and Mark's (initial) HORROR when the scanner told us there wasn't just one but two babies in there. As long as Mark and I have been talking about kids he has said that he doesn't want twins so the look on his face (that stayed there for weeks after) said it all.

Two scans later (including a nuchal scan which gave our babies a 1 in 12000 chance of having Downs or and 1 in 22000 of any other abnormal chromosome related disease) and we were able to share our news.

Let's just say, we're still shocked. Me less then Mark because I'm the one carrying these babies and it's easier to bond/get used to the idea when you are reminded constantly of their existence. Mark says all I do/talk about/think about is babies which could be true. I've not been sick at all and am rarely too tired, have been going to the gym still to avoid what happened last time (anyone who saw pictures of me from 6 mos onwards knows what I'm talking about here) and of course, being a Mom to a kind of crazy right now toddler.

The babies due date is October 4th although full term for twins is 37 weeks so since I'm having an elective c-section this time around you could say their due date is more like Sept. 13th. 50% of twins are born in the 35th week which brings us up to August 30th which seems scarily not so far away.

The babies are non identical and have their own placentas and sacs (maybe TMI, sorry!) which is the safest way to carry them as they don't compete as much for food. There is a 50% chance we are having a boy/girl, 25% girl/girl and 25% boy/boy. Let's not think about option 3 right now because that's more then I can really handle but knowing us, will probably be the outcome :).

Either way, we are blessed. That's all I can say and that's just how I feel. Having been an only child I always kind of dreamed about having a big family but never really saw myself as a Mom of 3, now that it's a reality I love thinking about how our house will never be quiet, how fun our holidays will be as they get older and how special it is that they will all have each other.

Anyway, thought I would share a few pics along with our news:

Both babies at 9 wks 4 days (2nd scan, March 10)
Twin 2, 12 wks 6 days
Twin 1, 12 wks 6 days

Fight club

Just so you know, there won't be any pics for this post. That's because whilst I believe in documenting Calum's growing up years, I think it's probably best to act like this little "phase" in his life never happened, with hopes that it will soon be over and we can act like that's actually the case.

Since Calum was a little baby we always kind of knew he had a temper. Not a big surprise I suppose, he is 1/4 Irish after all and both Mark and I have been known to occasionally lose it (*occasionally*!). Well, in the last month or so this temper has reared it's ugly head to include temper tantrums. These tantrums go beyond him being angry for a second and have progressed into full on kicking, screaming and even hitting matches-the Verghese household has turned into a fight club.

Oh, and it doesn't end there. Last Wednesday when I picked C up from nursery I was asked to sign a form recognising that C had hit another child over the head with a rolling pin in the "home corner". Never mind why they had a rolling pin in there in the first place, I couldn't believe my sweet angel had actually injured another child!

Friday was no better, Mark came home with C to report that he had pushed a few kids and even BITTEN someone! My worst nightmare. I still remember being bitten by some freak at preschool and now my kid is that freak. The bite couldn't have been that bad as we didn't have to sign a form this time but still, biting?!

So we enter the terrible 2s, a full month before C even turns 2. I've been reading all the books/online info I can get my hands on to try and fix this but unfortunately at this age when verbal skills are still limited, it's tough. The "naughty step" which worked brilliantly at first has turned into a joke, Calum no longer even cries when he is sent there and he now thinks it's a game. Am I tempted to get out the wooden spoon as a threat like I had when I was a child? Yes, but there again I'm really not sure what that will solve at this age so I'm feeling stuck. Literally stuck because he's also become a nightmare to bring out in public.

Any suggestions from you Moms out there? I could really use them as I'm at my wits end.

All of that said, the last 2 days with Calum have been brilliant. It's like he knew I was about to lose it and has shown what a great child he can be. Sweet, funny and lots of fun to be with. Don't get me wrong, he's still had a few moments, but I've had to step back and realise that for a few days there I really lost sight of what it was all about. Let's hope he's entered a new phase....