It's a Girl! .... and another girl!!!

As most of you know, we welcomed our two beautiful, perfect, gifts from God on December 19, 2012.  (As many men have pointed out, we got them in just in time to get the tax deductions! Although we consider them much more precious than a tax deduction.)

I have been incredibly blessed to have a very healthy multiple pregnancy. Any multiple pregnancy is considered high risk, but with the help and support of Jason I ate well (followed a multiples diet-if you are expecting multiples, please ask me about it. I seriously credit a lot of my health and their health to this book.) and relatively exercised frequently. That being said, by the end I had increased my weight be 50%, and I was having difficulty walking, sleeping, breathing, etc. I stopped working after Thanksgiving break at 34 weeks. That gave me 3 weeks of rest to prepare for the birth. The last week of my pregnancy I was HEALTHY (Praise God) but miserably uncomfortable. 

The one sad part was that I had to miss Jason's White Coat Ceremony. I was so proud of all of his hard work he put into his didactic year. His parents came in town and his brother Chad travelled from FL to see him get his white coat. (And he thought the babies would be here by then... We all did.)

The birth itself was very smooth. I won't go into detail. (You're welcome. :) ) The best part was the end... We had two perfect babies! And Jason was the best, most supportive husband. I am seriously so blessed to have him. 

We had quite a full room of visitors. Jason's parents and all three of his brothers (one from MS, one from FL, and one from Nashville), my parents and both of my sisters (from Memphis) all travelled to be here for the birth. It meant so much to have them here. 

Here is the details: 

Dakota Elizabeth Caswell

Born 12.19.12 at 6:19 pm

Weight: 6 lb 7 oz

Length: 21 inches

Kiley Rose Caswell

Born 12.19.12 at 6:33 pm

Weight: 6 lb 8 oz

Length: 20.5 inches

Both were able to stay with us in our room the whole time. They came home with us after a standard 2 days. Now a month later, I am happy to report that they are growing well and keeping us entertained and exhausted- as new babies should. 

And now what you really want: The pictures! 

Alles Gute Zum Geburtstag!

Guten Tag! Jason and I have had a very busy couple of weeks!
Last weekend our sweet friends from Jason's PA class threw us a diaper shower! They worked so hard to put it on, and it paid off. The food was delicious. The only downside is we had to watch our dawgs lose to Texas A&M.

The girls from Jason's PA class! 

The banner matches our crib bedding. 

Diaper wreath! 

Then on Wednesday, the staff from my school showered us with gifts! It was SO thoughtful. I was overwhelmed by how many people participated in the shower. The special ed staff hosted it.  They did a great job with the cupcakes (little booties on top! so cute.) and punch and ice cream. It was after school and the majority of the staff came, and some other coworkers that work in other parts of the school district. PLUS they got together and bought both car seats! I think we officially have all of the little things we need BEFORE they come. 

Aren't these adorable! 

So then this weekend we started celebrating Jason's birthday a little early. I planned an Oktoberfest themed birthday party. (Hence the German greetings.. and Alles Gute Zum Geburtstag- Happy Birthday.) 

We had German food and beer (for some of us). We also had a beer tasting. Everyone brought beer to share, and I served a blind taste test. There was awards for best, worst, and most interesting! 

Please note that this would not have been possible without the huge amount of help from Zahida and Valerie all afternoon!

German Potato salad, of course

Honey Beer Bread

Homemade Pretzels (I don't suggest this recipe) with Beer Cheese Dip

My mom's recipe for sweet and sour green beans..YUM!

Zahida

Brandon

Val brought the best beer... Sarah brought the WORST.

Birthday boy!

You can't even tell I'm pregnant in this picture! 

Chad

Andrew

Elijah

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Andrew, so proud of his team...

Sunday morning we had a chance to meet with the Legrands briefly for breakfast before church. It was so good to see them!!!

Jason's birthday is actually next Monday, but we had a great time getting the celebration started! 

Pregnancy news: 

I am now 32 weeks. It is quite a milestone! I am still working, and I plan to work for at least the next two weeks. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving break. Jason's family is coming over from Nashville so that will help tremendously! Thank you for all of your prayers! I am hoping to carry the twins for another 3-5 weeks at least! 

Showered with Love... again!

Wow! After a weekend that was entirely too short, we are back in Knoxville again. We travelled to Memphis for a shower. My mom's generous friends threw me a baby shower. I was surrounded by friends, family friends, and family. Then, on top of that, many people sent gifts who weren't able to come.
We are so blessed!

The amazing hostesses! (Minus two)

Grandma Rene and me

My Grandma Dee.. she came to Memphis from Saint Louis for the shower!

Just one of the great gifts we received! They look so good above the cribs.

My sister Laura, Grandma Dee, sister Julie, Cousin Carolyn,  and niece Haley (5)

As I sit here working on my thank you notes, it is hard to keep the pen steady because the babies keep kicking the clip board I am writing them on! It is hard to be mad though.. :)

Since Jason was off a few days last week, we were able to set up a lot of the babies' room! We got both cribs, a rocking chair, and a changing table set up. We also stocked the closet with baby clothes.. I can't believe we only have 3 months!

24 weeks...and first baby shower!

I am now 24 weeks.
(Don't be confused by the last blog post.. I drafted it 2 weeks ago and it took me that long to go ahead and post.. now I am 24 weeks!)

Jason finished his quarter and we were able to celebrate by going to the Smokey's this weekend. After dinner with his parents, we retired to the cabin. They called me into a room to show me something, and when I walked in...

Genevieve made these little babies out of diapers! How CUTE!
My mom about had a heart attack when it hit her--there really is going to be TWO bundles of joy! 

How do we look? Like we have our hands full? :)

My sister-in-law (and she was one of my bridesmaids!) planned an entire long distance baby shower for us. It was a total surprise to me. Jason, his parents, and his entire family were in on the secret, but somehow they kept it a surprise! 

I was overwhelmed by the generosity and support of his family and family friends. I was so deeply touched by the hard work and thought that went into it. Laura did a great job coordinating, and Genevieve (my MIL) did so much, too. Everything was sent to her house and she wrapped it all and transported it to the mountains. Then she decorated the whole place and made it a real shower. I know they both did so much more that I am unaware of to make it special, but it paid off. 

Thank you so much to everyone who participated. Overnight we went from (LITERALLY) not having a single thing in the baby room, to being able to start getting the room set up.

It is a good thing Jason has a few days off from school... he has a lot of work to do!  

22 Weeks..

So much has happened in the past 6 weeks!
As you can see, the babies have grown significantly! When we went for our 20 week check up (full anatomy data collection) we spent a full two hours in the ultrasound room. We got excellent reports from the doctor. It made us so proud to see our little babies growing so healthily! Jason was really interested in all the measurements they were taking. His favorite part was the hearts. I was interested, too, because it had to do with our babies, but not so interested that I didn't accidently fall asleep. Oops! Hey, put a pregnant lady in a recliner after a full day at work and dim the lights, see what happens.

You might have heard that we know the genders now... two girls! What a blessing!!!!! Their names will be Dakota Elizabeth and Kiley Rose. They are little wiggle worms. Dakota is on my left side and Kiley is on my right. It is so neat to know where they are because I talk to them more often than I should admit if I want people to think I am sane. So when my right side is being kicked over and over I can tell Kiley to cut it out! (Ok, the truth is... I don't mind right now. That may change as they get stronger and have less room to move, but right now I love to feel them!!!)
I think Jason was scared of pink at first, but he is warming up to the idea. He made the decision that we will be moving to Starkville, MS in 18 years.. So we can keep an eye on them when they go to college. Good luck, girls!

We have moved into our new three bedroom condo/house. We absolutely love it!! Our old apartment was perfect for us starting out, just the two of us. Now that we have moved to this palace we would never go back. We love the high ceilings and open floor plan! We are getting settled in and getting things ready for babies!
Last weekend our air conditioner broke.. Although it was a very hot, sticky 4 days, it made us very glad that we are renting. Plus it made us appreciate our blessings.
When the guy came to identify the problem, he took one look at me and offered to get us a window unit until he could get the new part. Apparently he took pity on Jason. Maybe he has had a pregnant wife before...?

School is in full swing now. It started out quite rough for me, but it has really smoothed out. I can truly say that although things aren't going perfect or easily, I really love my job. I love working with my special kiddos, although sometimes I look at how they are acting and search the room for hidden cameras.
We have a new "Cool Down Room" in my classroom. It works well for students.. and teachers!

Jason is finishing up his 4th quarter of his didactic year (he will spend a total of 5 quarters in the classroom before starting rotations). The schedule has been tough because there were a lot more night classes this quarter, but overall he is doing great.
He makes me so proud. I love the way he invests so much time and effort into the things that matter- but he also makes sure that his family is a priority. Somehow he manages to balance school and taking care of me. He never complains about having to help me pick things up all the time, or helping me put on my socks. When I start crying for no reason, he doesn't dismiss it because he knows that it is only because I am pregnant. God chose a great man for me to partner with to raise our daughters!

Pregnancy Update .... 16 weeks!

So last time I posted we announced that we are expecting twins!
Everyone has been so supportive, and it is so much more fun now that the cat is out of the bag.

So I am 16 weeks now, and a lot of people have been asking for an update!

I am definitely showing! I am wearing only maternity clothes and very loose pre-pregnancy clothes and dresses. 

I am eating so much you wouldn't believe it. I literally have to eat every two hours... and I don't mean have a few crackers, I mean full or mini-meals! It has certainly been a lifestyle adjustment. 

Fortunately, I have been feeling much better lately (probably because I am getting enough food now!). I am so blessed that the bulk of my first trimester landed during summer break, so I was able to take a nap when I was tired, lie down when I was sick, and really concentrate on taking care of myself. My first trimester symptoms lasted longer than the promised 12 weeks, but I think they are finally subsiding.   Let's just hope the migraines go away completely, too. 

School starts back soon, but we aren't thinking about that right now. 

In other news, Jason and I are moving on Friday! We are moving about 2 miles away to a 3 bedroom condo. I love our apartment right now, but it will be very cramped with 2 little ones and (hopefully) frequent visitors and support network! So as it gets closer I get more and more excited about our new place! It is significantly bigger. 

Also on Friday we find out the genders of our little angels! Everyone asks, "What do you want?" I am totally serious: I don't care! Jason really has no preference either, although I think all men want little boys. 

Here are some pictures from our trip last weekend to Mobile, AL for Jason's cousin Jeff's wedding. 

At the reception

Caswell family lunch at TGI Friday's

Anniversary

Wow! We cannot believe it has been a full year already! 

Our year has been wonderful and full of blessings. 

Our most exciting blessing is.... we are expecting! 

Can you believe it? God has blessed us with two babies! We are so lucky! 

They are "due" January 6th, 2013. BUT twins always come early, so we are expecting them in early or mid- December.

Please join us in praying for our growing family! 

Love, Kathleen and Jason (and the twins!)