You asked, I answer (Part II)

Geek by Marriage asked about the definitive moment during this pregnancy that I will laugh about for years to come. The OMG I cannot believe that just happened moment. This is a tough one... it's been a different sort of pregnancy all along. I don't have any fun stories of running through gridlock traffic while 7 months pregnant like I did when baking the Bean. It was mostly uneventful until it became extremely uneventful during the past 7 weeks of staring at the same four walls all day. But as far as the "OMG I cannot believe that just happened" reaction, it had to be when the RE wanded me and I saw two tiny little beebs on the ultrasound screen. Actually it wasn't so much "OMG" as "Oh shit, it's twins. Oh shit." The RE asked if it was an excited, happy "Oh shit" or a worried, freaked-out "Oh shit." I won't tell you what I responded, but needless to say that is the moment during this pregnancy that will stay with me forever.

Lisa, E, and Mary wonder about the names of our little twinklets. Yes, they both have them -- first and middle. (And last! We thought we'd stick with ours.) The twins and I are a fearsome threesome fighting off preterm labor together, and I've needed to know their names to address them in team meetings. DH and I aren't announcing what they are until the boys are born, just in case we suddenly decide matchy twin names rock after all and go for Steven and Stephen. Oh, and in case you were wondering, there is at least one winner on the Name Game post! Will it be you? Wait and see! Lisa also wonders how the minivan is treating me. Crap, I do own one, don't I. I haven't been in it in about two months, I blessedly forgot. Honestly though, I am really glad we got it. The convenience is unmatched. I will soon have two infants and a toddler, the least of my concerns will be the fact that my vehicle has the style and maneuverability of a space colony.

Oh, and to answer Mary's second question -- my Mom is absolutely LOVING her time with Bean. She says she's getting more benefit out of this extended visit than the rest of us are. Which is entirely untrue, but all the better for me and DH if she believes that. Thanks for your help Mom!

Nicky asked if I will be cloth diapering three butts this spring. Nope! Not immediately, at least. Bean has been in 'sposies since bedrest, as our collective plate is overflowing and we try to keep things as simple as possible. Less laundry, and I don't have to redo everything when my poor Mom tries to assemble the proper inserts into each cover. And I am nervous enough about my fragile sanity being home alone all day with three boys born in two years, so again, keeping it lowest-maintenance after the birth. But if I ever get the hang of parenting multiples, I do plan to make the switch back to cloth.

Hilary delurked (hi!) to ask why DH and I are headless on my blog, but other people are not, as she'd like to see who Bean looks like. I first made myself headless in my blog because in my job as a mental health counselor, it's important to maintain a thick line between my clients and my personal life. I didn't want someone stumbling across my blog and learning something that would be damaging to our professional therapeutic relationship -- like my intense dislike of mushrooms and onions. Although I am a SAHM now, I do plan to go back at some point (or at least that's what I tell my DH) so I've kept it up. I obviously post pictures of Bean, which I am very conflicted about. I want to keep his privacy, but it's also been great to share him with friends and family who live far away. I could password-protect my blog, or have a separate way to send pictures. But I just don't want to do that! So for now at least, DH and I are headless and the kids are not. (And as far as our extended family, I've asked and they don't mind having heads on the blog.) Who does Bean look like? I have no idea. Both of us, definitely, and neither of us. We have brown hair and brown eyes, he has light hair and blue eyes. He's our little recessive-gene munchkin. Although I'm pretty sure his hair will get darker as he gets older. I think the person he resembles most is my Dad, his Grandpa J. I am dying to see what his brothers look like!

Hilary also asked about whether the twins are fraternal or identical. We are quite confident that they are fraternal. First, we know from ultrasounds that I released 2-3 eggs on the treatment cycle that we conceived them. The chance of both of them fertilizing and implanting is far greater than the chance that only one became an embryo and split into two -- although it does happen! Second, they are dichorionic-diamniotic twins, which means they are developing in separate sacs with separate placentas. This happens in 100% of fraternal twin pregnancies, but only about 25% of identical twin pregnancies (they more often share a placenta). There, a little biology lesson for you, too. You're welcome.

And my IRL friend Allison asked:

1. Who's the most wonderful person you keep in touch with from high school? :) I assume you mean other than DH? And I also assume that you are fishing for a compliment? Well then I have to say you, Al my Pal. ;)
2. Do you remember the strange flash of light we saw on 7 Mile Road, and, what was it? Of course I remember. And it was aliens. Most definitely aliens.
3. Are you thrilled to have me as a house guest in July? Absolutely! You like getting up with babies in the middle of the night, right?
4. Have you or someone else given you a mani/pedi yet? I've used cuticle cream, lotion, etc. but not polish. I am worried about getting it on my white sheets, considering they already contain evidence of my meals for the day. Looking around, I can clearly see that I ate a salad recently (with Italian dressing) and some sort of sandwich with avocado.

Last but not least, IF Optimist proposed an outing to the park in August. A double twin date, with her sweet little angel girls and my wild pack of monkey boys. You are on, T, can't wait!