A Growing Belly

Originally I was not going to do these, but with some coaxing from people, we decided to! If anyone is unsure, I would highly recommend.  I love that I can watch my growth and show it to my babies some day.

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Seemed so pointless to start here but you have to start somewhere!  I was excited to get started with these and wanted to see results right away!  I was anxious and nervous for the changes ahead but this weekly ritual seemed to make things all the more exciting!

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We took this right before we left for the lake for the 4th of July.  We told our extended family this weekend too!  I was just starting to have a tiny bump.  Getting so REAL!!!

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Once we entered the 2nd trimester, I finally didn't feel ill almost every day!  The morning sickness, all day nausea, dizziness and bloated feelings seemed to diminish by this point and thank GOD.  That is one thing I will not miss at all.  

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This was the point when I felt like I had a cute little bump and I was still managing to fit into my normal clothes still.  I got this dress (which you will see in lots of my pictures) at Anthropologie and it's not maternity!  It has lasted me through the whole pregnancy and I know I'll wear it again after they are born.

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SUUUUUCH a hot summer.  We went to a Royals game this day- I have never drank more water than I did at this game.  And also sought out every air conditioned place at Kauffman Stadium.

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Introducing Emmy Lou and Bennett Matthew!

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The halfway there point!!! I realized how fast this pregnancy was going and tried to slow it down and enjoy every day!

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Sooo excited that we reached a pound each!  Moving out of the ounces stage was so exciting!!!

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Feeling the babies move for the first time was one of the most surreal experiences I've ever had.  I could feel little movements all over my belly.  Bennett has always been low (baby A- closest to my cervix) and Emmy Lou has always been very high up and kicking my ribs (baby B).  Oh the joys of pregnancy :)

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Teaching the babes the ways of the Chiefs with a win!

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Turned 25! Fantastic birthday, knowing all my future birthdays will be spent with my family of 4.

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DATE NIGHT // Alex took me to a new Neopolotin pizzeria downtown.  We had so much fun!  It was, however, the first time I realized I was getting pretty big to sit at tables in public and remain comfortable.  All in all, I had a great time that night.  Alex sure spoils his family already.

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I remember this week realizing I couldn't fit into some of my favorite fall clothes.  But I was loving the ever growing baby bump :)

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Bennett is 2 lbs 10 oz

Emily is 2 lbs 14 oz

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Hiccups in the womb were at first SUPER adorable, but when they come all the time from 2 little babes, it can get rather bothersome.  It does make me smile to know they are growing and becoming little humans in there.  Practicing movements and learning what they need to to live in the world.

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Baby Shower // My mom and mother-in-law threw me the most beautiful baby shower on November 14th!  We got so many beautiful gifts and felt so prepared for the babies.  I didn't realize how exhausted I would be afterwards.  Carrying the babes all day and trying to talk to everyone that made it out, wiped me out!  I have never felt so loved than I did that day.  And the cake was BEYOND delish.

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Bennett is 3 lbs 9 oz

Emily is 4 lbs 6 oz

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Thanksgiving in KC!  We did put our tree and Christmas decorations up early, well first because I LOVE this time of year and second, we didn't know how much more I would be able to participate in the bigger I got.

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Our kiddos are opening eyes during the day and taking practice breaths!  My clothing choices are getting extremely limited, which is frustrating but I know its so temporary.  Having a sister who works at Anthro has kept me stylish still into the last few weeks of my pregnancy.

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Took this picture before going to Alex's Christmas Party, which I was glad to be able to go to, even though I sat the entire time.  It was fun to get ready and go out but the time it takes to get ready gets increasingly longer every week.  Making it to 34 weeks was a HUGE mark for us, now we just can't wait to meet them.

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I'll be honest, week 35 was a daze.  I was uncomfortable and off work so my discomfort was intensified by sitting at home every day. Alex still managed to make me smile and kept my spirits up as my favorite holiday was just a week away.

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We FINALLY made it to week 36!  Seemed impossible but there I am!  Spending Christmas with our families was great.  We realized it was the last Christmas before we would be spending it with our babies!

***Now- moving on to the pictures of the babies growth in the outside world!***