Water Aerobics

When I was pregnant with Finley I ran until I was 32 weeks pregnant and then walked and worked at a school library every day until he came out (at 41.5 weeks)! This pregnancy has been very different than the first! Not only are subsequent pregnancies harder, but having twins also meant a lot more and lower pressure earlier on in the pregnancy. I had to stop running at 16 weeks pregnant because I feel like I was gonna pee myself and also because the pressure on my lower body and back became too great. At 24 weeks pregnant I started having Braxton Hicks contractions (which I never had with Finley) so I stopped doing my modified T-25 workouts. And by 25 weeks pregnant I had to stop playing tennis. 

Running, working out, and staying fit have always been a big part of my daily regimen. I didn't want to lay around the house all day, but I also don't want these babies to come out too soon too. Luckily our neighborhood pool offered water aerobic classes (free for members) three mornings a week! I started these classes back in June and am still doing them now, although now at the local Y since our outdoor pool is now closed. 

These water aerobics classes were such a life saver! Being in the water feels great and relieves a lot of pressure and back pain that I feel on a constant basis. The Adam's Farm group was so welcoming to me and really made me feel like a part of class. They even all got together to get us a very generous gift card for the babies at the end of the season. I am so grateful for the instructor Lotus and to all these new adopted grandparents. I miss my water aerobics friends already! Thank you for a great summer in the pool!

Back to School!

The summer break came and went so quickly this year! Luckily Finley wasn't heart broken to go back to school and was looking forward to seeing his school friends again.

We can't believe we have a 4th grader now! And that pretty soon we will be starting all over again! It seems so surreal and crazy. 

I am really hoping that with all the changes that are on the horizon, that it won't effect Finley in a negative way. He has been so loving and caring towards me and helping me out around the house all the time. I know that eventually the novelty of being a big brother will wear off, I just hope he can handle all the changes well especially not getting as much attention as he usually does! I hope that my good, sweet boy won't disappear.

But for now...this kid is all smiles! This was his reaction when he found out he got his number 1 teacher request for 4th grade. He doesn't have any "good" friends in his class, and there are a lot of special friends in there too. Hoping he can make some new friends and not get too discouraged with the potential behavior issues! We really need school to be a happy and stable environment, because home life sure won't be! Please keep us all in your prayers as we prepare for the twins arrival! 

Winston-Salem Open 2018

The past couple of years we have been able to attend the Winston-Salem Open a professional tennis tournament.

This year, Finley was invited through GRETA to participate in an on court demonstration before the match. Not only that, but we got free admission to the afternoon session of the men's quarter final matches!

We ended up bringing two of our tennis friends Joy and Ben with us so they could participate too!

I was lucky that Finley got placed on the end of the on court demonstration so that I could get some good photos and videos!

There were a lot of kids out there in such a small space, but they were able to keep the ball under control . . . mostly!

The demonstration took place right before the first quarterfinal match during the heat of the day!

There weren't many spectators out there so luckily there wasn't a lot of pressure to perform!

After the demonstration we grabbed some snacks and got to watch some tennis. 

The first quarterfinal match was between Steve Johnson and Kyle Edmund. Two guys we have seen in the past! Johnson took it to Edmund! 

The second match was between Pablo Carreno-Busta and Hyeon Chung. Carreno-Busta is one of Finley's favorites and he did not disappoint winning his match too!

We were able to get autographs from both the winners!

We also got to see and visit with the kid's tennis coach, Coach Kevin, who was also there for the day. By the time the second match was over, we were all ready to head home and call it quits!

Because David wasn't able to attend with us on Thursday, he ended up taking Finley back to the tournament finals on Saturday to see American Steve Johnson battle it out against the Russian Daniil Medvedev. Unfortunately, Medvedev was the one who prevailed! We all had a great time at the Winston-Salem Open! It is such a fun atmosphere and you always get to see high quality tennis up close in person. Hoping to go again next year! 

Big Brother Class

Last month we signed Finley up for a Big Brother/Sister class at the Women's Hospital. Since we are having twins, Finley decided to bring not 1, but 2 stuffed animals to practice on!

During the class Finley learned some valuable information. Like how to hold a baby.

How to change a diaper.

How to swaddle a baby and what toys or objects around the house might be choking hazard for the babies.

Finley did a great job and was the best student in the class! He was also the oldest child in the class by at least 4 years! LOL! Finley really enjoyed the class and learned some new information about what to expect when the babies arrive. Ever since we told Finley we were having the twins he has been so incredibly loving, affectionate, and helpful to me! He is already proving what a great big brother he will be!

Summer Ladder 2018

Finley participated in another GRETA ladder this past summer. 

He moved up to the green level 2 group which meant using the green dot balls and playing full court.

As usual, I prepared Finley to get his butt handed to him as he was moving up to a higher level.

And, yet again, he was able to hold his own!

He finished the summer ladder with a record of 10-2-3. He also ended the ladder in 2nd place (out of 14) right behind another boy Ben who takes lessons at Adam's Farm. We are so proud of how well he did and for surviving playing in the summer heat! 

Great job Finley man!