29 weeks pregnant with TWINS - count down begins!

Its been an eventful few weeks. In my last post I mentioned that Brett and I planned a trip with our friends Leah and Carmen down to Vegas for what we were calling our "Baby Stag" and an early yearly trip we always do with these two amazing ladies..

The trip was absolutely amazing! Our friends Toni, Kari, Dael and new friend Lessa joined us on this trip to also celebrate Toni's 40th Birthday, and what better place to celebrate both of these things then Vegas! I can honestly say we all truly had an exceptional Vegas experience that we will laugh about for years to come. Thanks so much Ladies for making this trip so special for us both, love you all!

The day after getting back from Vegas we met up with our friend Candice who then took us on the adventure of creating a baby registry and let me tell you it was one real adventure. We are so thankful to have great friends like Candice who have helped guide us through this process and supported us with the tremendous amount of questions we have had along the way.

So many have asked where our registry is and we have set it up at Babies R Us (Registry # 61142742). This process was a bit overwhelming as we went through the isle picking things up wondering what this does and that does and with the helpful advise of Candice we were able to compile a list of things that would really assist us in bringing these two little bundles of joy up healthily and happy!  It was very surreal going through the isle and looking at everything you need before our little ones will be coming home. Looking at all the different toys, clothes, cute little bath tubs, etc... It made me even more exciting to bring them home. Filled my heart with so much joy and excitement! Its been really neat going through all these different stages throughout the pregnancy as you hit different milestones.

We have also had another ultrasound just this past Wednesday and I have to say it was our best yet. I got a bit of constructive criticism my last post from some ultrasound technicians when I had mentioned that I felt that many were disconnected from the expected parents and that I have not really had the greatest experience thus far. Our feelings were very real about this and many people have shared the same views as we have. I was lucky enough to have feedback from three U/S technicians and they kindly shared with me why they can not say much and how they personally are always connected to the best outcome for every child they scan. I sat back and reflected on there feedback and thanked them for shedding a bit of light on a subject I was not as familiar with, however they also where not part of the few not so great experiences we had. I errored in generalizing an entire field in how I was feeling, however each situation is unique and not all people have the same connection and values that these three had shared with me. So back to our last ultrasound... It was fantastic. Our technician was kind, engaged in conversation with us and did not give us any information he could not share with us, but was just very friendly which created a great experience for us! The babies were looking great, hearts will still beating away so strong and both were measuring pretty much exactly the same which was great to see! its interesting as these ultrasounds get closer to the end to see less and less in one shot as they are getting so much bigger! Our little girl, Baby A was being a little shy and he had a hard time getting a great shot of her, but managed to get one silhouette of her which was nice!

Raylene has still been feeling great too, she is truly one incredible woman. She's 29 weeks pregnant with twins and still working full time at work, and at home with the help of her amazing family! She also had the opportunity to meet Bretts Mom and Step Dad a couple days ago. We all had a nice dinner together and had a chance to enjoy each others company. As I watched Bretts mom look at Raylene's belly from time to time I could see her heart filled with so much joy and excitement knowing that her two little grand babies are in there being nurtured and loved by Raylene until we get to bring them home. It was a very sweet thing to witness and I was so happy they all had a chance to meet before the babies arrive!

The Baby Shower planning is also in full Swing! Thanks Lucy, Toni, Bev, Nina and my mom for all your hard work in putting this together. We are blessed with an amazing amount of great friends. Toni  and Dave have opened their doors to their restaurant to host our Baby Shower which is so nice because the number of people coming is growing by the day! If you have not responded to the Facebook Invite yet, please do :) We will be preparing lots of food and need to make sure we make enough! So So excited!

 The girls have put together a little diaper draw for anyone that wanted to enter! Its easy and you can win several hundreds of dollars worth of stuff! All you do is bring a pack of diapers (With receipt) with you to the baby shower and you will get your name entered in to win one of the prize baskets!

Here is a list of the prizes so far that will be split between two baskets, which have a total value of around 700 - 900 each basket!!

Rendezvous Restaurant (Chilliwack) - Gift Certificate - Value $75.00 - (Thanks Toni and Dave)
Art of Driving School - 3 Hours Driving Lesson - Value $195.00 - (Thanks Lori (Mom) )
Art Of Driving School - Movie Night Out (Ciniplex) - Value 45.00 (Thanks Lori (Mom )
Lashes By Nina - Full Set of Lashes - Value $150.00 (Thanks Nina)
Queen B Salon - Free Hair Cut and Product - Value $93.00 (Thanks Brandi and Kim)
Gente Bella - Spa Pedicure - Value $50.00 - (Thanks Sherry and Terri)
Tropicanna Tanning Studio (Sardis) - Product and Tanning Minutes - Value $257.00 (Thanks Tasha)
Kathys Cleaning Services - 3 Hours Cleaning - Value $60.00 - (Thanks Kathy)
Captains Tattoos - Gift Certificate - Value $100.00 - (Thanks Spencer)
Vitamin - Health and Wellness Package - Value $225.00 - (Thanks Amanda)
Lori - Wine Package - Wine Glasses, 2 bottles of wine and wine opener kit - Value 150.00 - (Thanks Mom)

+++More Added Daily+++ So these baskets are going to pretty amazing!! Thank you to everyone that has contributed to these baskets. Diapers and Formula are the two things that will be Brett and I's biggest expense starting off, so the support we have been getting so far is incredibly appreciated it. A few people recently asked if they could enter the draw if they were not able to make it to the shower and the answer is Yes! You just need to get in touch with Lucy/Toni/Nina/Bev or my Mom and they will get you entered if you are interested and can't make it to the shower!

In closing.. The rooms are really coming along.. Carmen has the base colours on now, just need one more coat and they she will start the trees and really begin to bring the room to life! So so exciting. Our little ones arrival can really be at any point now, so trying our best to prepare as much as we can. We are crossing all our fingers and toes to make it to at least 35 weeks and with how Raylene has been feeling I think that will be a very real possibility!

Thanks for following, we have gained great friends from all around the world. My last post had over 4000 views in one afternoon from everyone sharing, so if you can take a moment and share our blog it would be greatly appreciated it!

Till our next update my friends, stay Healthily, Happy and Positive!

26 weeks... Boys...Girls....Nurseries....AND MORE!

Its been a while since I last wrote,  and so much has happened that I want to share with you.. Where to start though..

Since my last post we have had three ultrasounds, two scheduled and one 3D to get a final confirmation on the sex of the babies again.

So to answer our question and now yours about how are the babies doing and did we get a final confirmation on the sexes?.. They are doing fantastic and yes its confirmed 100% now that we are having a little boy and girl!! They are growing, kicking (Sorry Raylene) and bonding already. We had the special opportunity to see them through a 3D ultrasound and it was so cute to see them interacting with each other already! Near the end of the Ultrasound our little guy was nestled up to his sister and had his head resting on her chest. It was so cute and awesome to see this special bond starting so early!

Raylene has been doing great, She so graciously spent her 40th Birthday Party pregnant with our twins and was so amazing about it. She looked as beautiful as ever and near the end as her party was ending she gave Brett and I a very special gift that will give the warm and fuzzy to any expecting parents. She let us feel our little babies move for the first time. It was something so special for us both. I can vividly remember the feeling of the movement myself and then watching Brett's hand compressed on Raylene's belly and then his face lighting up "There they are! I felt them!" ... The look on his face was priceless.. It was our first proud Daddy moment together and we will hold tight to that memory forever.. Thank you so much for that Raylene!

So moving ahead and bringing you up to today.. Raylene is currently 26 Weeks 3 days pregnant with our two little angels. I get daily updates on there movements, sleep patterns (Or lack off lol) and their "Martial Arts" training.... Kick, punch, jab (Ouch).... As Raylene and I work together everyday, I always have the chance to stay connected with how she and the babies are doing and I feel so blessed for that.

Brett and I went out with my Mom (Grandma Barillaro) last weekend and bought all the nursery furniture. This was an exciting milestone moment we have been waiting for such a long time. It was so much fun! I loved watching my mom gleaming over all the cute little outfits she can buy her little granddaughter and grandson. She's already spoiling them and has been such a great help in preparing us with many of the essentials we need. We also recently had our friends Leah and Carmen over to discuss our nurseries and the design and layout of everything. Our friend Carmen is incredibly talented in her field and has sent me over two Mock-Ups of the rooms and how they are going to look! She is starting in a couple weeks and can't wait to see the transformation and share with you!

We have some of our friends starting the planning of our baby shower which is so exciting and coming up quick too! I am so excited to bring all our friends and family together again to celebrate these little ones and have a chance to connect with all the special people that have joined Brett and I in the amazing journey.

As the time comes closer and closer Brett has been finding himself facing a bit of anxiety himself. As most of you know Brett will be staying home and taking on the very vital and special role as stay at home Dad. This is a very big role for anyone to step into with one baby let alone two.. He's questioning his ability lately to be able to make it on his own while I am at work and I remind him daily what an incredible daddy he's going to be for our children and I could not have wanted anyone more perfect them him to raise our children. I think this feeling plagues most new parents. No matter how ready you make yourself, you will always have these feeling until you are fully immersed in your role as a parent. Brett and I have wanted children for so long, these little ones will have so much love and support not only from there Daddies, but our families and amazing network of friends!

Brett and I are also going to Vegas next week for what we are calling our "Baby Stag".. Our last big "Hurrah" for a while, so we are going to make it count lol. While I am so excited I have the natural anxiety of being to far away from Raylene and the kids and I can only imagine how I will feel about leaving them once they are actually here. When we get back Raylene will be approaching 29 weeks and we will be no longer then 9 weeks away from finally meeting our two little ones.

Wow that was a lot of information lol. I promise not to make it so long in between our next post. Thanks so much for following our story, we get approached daily by people who have read our journey and have been moved and touched by our story. So thank you all so much for sharing our exciting moments with all your friends and family and most importantly with us.

Chat soon....