Year 3

3 years ago, we pledged the whole, "til death do us part" thing.  Surrounded by all of our family and friends, which was so cool to think that they were all there just for us.  It was, to put it modestly, the best, most perfect day ever (*ahem* because I may or may not have planned every last. freaking. detail).  Though of course we didn't know exactly what we were getting into.  Ours isn't a new story, I don't think anyone knows what they are getting into with marriage.  How can you until you do it?  Life is crazy.  And for us, throw in moving to a brand new city a week after getting married, a husband pursuing his PhD, a wife job hunting...then job losing...then hunting all over again, moving to a new apartment, plus the various minutiae of plain old everyday life, and 3 years fly by and get even crazier. Not to mention that little did we know, very soon...

 

2 little babies would be on their way to us.  At the same time.  We are so excited for our little twins and this next phase of life and marriage.  And, let's be honest, we're a little psyched out.  I mean, girl loves a full night's sleep.  But, c'mon, two babies?!?  That's pretty awesome.  And just like three years ago, I'm sure we have absolutely no idea what we're in for.  We didn't know what we were getting into with marriage, and we don't know what we're in for now as we're about to be parents.  To twins.  Good Lord.  But that's ok, because in the end, we only have...

1 life, together, (oh gosh, that was pretty corny, huh?  I know, I'm sorry.), and he's really a pretty good guy to hang out and do life with.  We have fun, and life is about to get even more crazy, so I guess I'll keep him around...for at least another three years or so.  ;)

It's Fall!

Crossing this leaf's path the other day makes it official...it's fall!  Break out the cider, apples, sweaters, boots, and pumpkins!

What It's Like to be Pregnant with Twins

So I've been kind of quiet on here.

As should be obvious from my last post, things have NOT been quiet in real life.  Not by a long shot...

!!!

Yup, that happened.  Also, I just posted a picture of a stick that I peed on.  You're welcome.

And then THIS happened...

!!! !!!

Yes, there are two baby Williams' on their way.  Look out, world.

So far this is what being pregnant with twins is like.

1. It's exhausting.  I'm tired all of the time.  It's getting a little bit better, but I'm still in bed by about 8:00 every night.  A couple of nights it's even been 7:00.  And this from a girl who's usually up until at least 10:30-11:00 (and let's not even talk about what my sleep schedule was like in college).  I have no idea if this is what it's "normally" like to be pregnant, since I have absolutely nothing to compare this to.  I'm just tired all the freaking time.
2. Your entire vocabulary changes.  We started with expecting "a baby", calling it "it" (which isn't the prettiest of pronouns), talked about how it would be "the three of us", etc.  Now we're expecting "babies", and "they" will make "FOUR of us".  It's crazy.
3. Everything is times two.  I know that sounds obvious, but it really hits you.  I had a whole nursery planned in my head for one.  So far, finding things for two hasn't been the easiest, and they don't always have examples in the stores (i.e. double strollers).  Also I babysat for a friend's adorable, single, one-year old awhile ago, and I kept thinking, "I will be doing all of this...times two."  Wiping sticky little hands...times two.  Changing diapers...times two.  Buckling into strollers...times two.  Cutting up food into teeny little pieces...times two.
4. It's incredibly fun.  Not everyone gets to have twins, after all.  (Although look for a coming post, "Annoying Things People Have Said Now That We're Expecting Twins".)  We had so much fun first telling our families that we were pregnant, and then, a few weeks later, that it was twins!  It was like getting to tell them we were pregnant all over again.  And now that we are telling more people who didn't know before, we get to do the one-two punch, "Hey guys, I'm pregnant!" *cue cheering and congratulations* "But that's not all...it's twins!"  *cue stunned silence before even more cheering and congratulations*  I have to say...it's ridiculously fun to get to make that announcement.
5. Your plans completely change.  I went from having a firm plan in my head about time off, and what transitioning back to work would look like, while Tyson would be able to watch a lone baby part-time.  NO WAY with twins.  First, it's twice the babies.  No way could I expect Tyson to watch two babies part time and still graduate in a year.  Second, it's TWICE THE BABIES.  What I would make going back part time just isn't enough (or barely) to put two kids in daycare (which I wouldn't really want to do anyway), so I'd basically be going back to work to be in debt to daycare.  And since we don't have family around (aka FREE daycare), we don't really have another option.  No idea how Tyson's being-in-school salary is going to stretch that far, but God clearly has a plan.  And on the incredibly bright side-hey, early retirement!  At least for awhile!  Woo-hoo!

It's Official...

San Francisco Phone Dump

San Francisco was definitely a needed break.  I get restless if I'm in the same place for too long, and Tyson and I haven't really taken a vacation together since our honeymoon.  And while sometimes it seemed that things didn't go as planned (or that nothing was going as planned)...poor food, a wasted ferry ride, and getting suckered into an expensive meal at a tourist trap...it was actually a great trip for us.

Especially when it included breakfast in Union Square every morning.  I wish every morning could start with a vanilla latte, delicious pastries, and just generally relaxing.  Also looking around Union Square and thinking..."Hmm...I think I shall go browse around Tiffany's today..."

Also, the Legion of Honor was AWESOME.  First of all, the building was awesome.  Second, they had an Impressionist exhibit going on, and I am ALL ABOUT the impressionists.

Third, they had their halls set up so you could get glimpses of art like this...

Fourth, Tyson is THINKING next to THE THINKER.  It was too perfect.  Tyson is cuter, though.

So overall we didn't have a fantastic experience with food...but we went to Boulevard which more than made up for everywhere else.  It was one of the best meals I have ever eaten ever.  I don't know what "marble potatoes" are but they were part of my meal, and I ate them, and then I died of happiness.  Over a potato.  The ambiance, the service, the food...everything was perfect.  I am SO glad we made time to go there, and the choice to make that our "date night".

We also took a trolley and RODE HANGING OFF THE SIDE OF THE TROLLEY.  Kay, so I know that real San Franciscoans don't actually ride the trolleys, much less hang off the sides of them, but it felt like quite the quintessentially San Franciscan thing to do.  I wish I could have gotten more photos but...hanging off the side of a trolley with your iPhone seems like a poor life choice.

And Ghirardelli Square.  Where we got chocolate.  And wine.  It was awesome.

This is us trying to get a photo with the Golden Gate bridge in the background.  If you squint you can see it.  I am horrible at getting photos of the two of us when we are out someplace cool, and then Christmas comes around and I have NOTHING for a Christmas card.  And it looks like we've done nothing all year.  It's pathetic.  And this photo is clearly not Christmas-card worthy.  I swear we do things people, I'm just too busy enjoying the things to stop and take photos of myself enjoying the thing I am doing.

But here are more photos of the bridge.  

And Alcatraz.  We didn't take the tour (I'd done it before), but it was still fun to look at.

There was also bread.  Lots of baskets of bread.  

Our other excellent meal was at our future sister-in-law's family's restaurant in Sausalito (that sounds more complicated than it is), which was an adventure.  Attempt #1: Buy tickets for ferry to Sausalito.  Wait much longer than normal for ferry, which is running late due to the plethora of bikers riding ferry.  Board ferry.  Ride ferry.  Step out into Sausalito.  Hair which was perfectly curled is now completely straight due to the strength of the blowing wind.  Have trouble walking straight because of the wind.  Literally walk down the gangplank of the ferry and get a phone call saying that the 70mph winds have blown a power line down, and the restaurant had to close.  Exasperated sigh.  Or several.  Turn around and board last ferry back to San Francisco.

Attempt #2: After a leisurely day, board ferry to Sausalito.  Step our into Sausalito, make it in plenty of time, with no wind and no problems.  Get treated like royalty at the restaurant.  Actually, scratch that, treated like you are a judge on Top Chef.  Get food you didn't even order brought out for you, over and over again.  I think becoming a judge on Top Chef is my new life's goal.  It was awesome.

Also...this is what happens when you try to take photos.  And it's windy.  Don't do it.  This is an even worse idea for a Christmas card photo.