Well, it's happened - the second trimester snoring (according to Peter)!  I even wake myself up some nights, and Scamper doesn't like it either - crazy.  Besides that little side effect, everything progressing nicely.  A lot of movement late at night and first thing in the morning, and I now can feel Katya more on my right side.  Roman likes to flutter when I'm at the computer and at business meetings.  I still jump when I feel it, which is a bit disconcerting to my colleagues and customers, I'm sure.  I must look like I'm having a series of mini seizures...LOL.  We have ordered furniture and bought paint for the babies' room.  Since the Dr. Seuss theme has a lot of primary colors, I chose a calming blue for the walls and lots of red and yellow accents for linens, curtains, and storage cubbies (all Dr. Seuss, of course).  Glad that vintage themes are back in style.  Who doesn't love Green Eggs and Ham, The Lorax, and Cat in the Hat?  I also read that children whose mothers read aloud to them are more likely to develop the skills and knowledge that influence written and oral language abilities.  Roman and Kate will definitely be readers and singers!  Strangely, my favorite reading material these days is true-life murders and mysteries. Maybe one of them will be a CSI.  Still working out 4-5 times per week, but slowing it down a bit, and choosing to walk and do pre-natal yoga when they are stretching.  All in all, a very pleasant 21 weeks so far!  Keep the prayers and good thoughts coming.  xoxo   P.S.  Round two of NHL Playoffs start tonight - GO SHARKS!  Future fans inside...

The BIG question - how many more weeks will Kristine be able to frantically multitask before her doctor, husband, friends, complete strangers tie her down and force her on bed rest? :)  I'm hoping for at least 10 more good weeks to get as much done as possible, but with twins you never know.  Today, my friend Muggs will come over and take some more of those belly shots - a bit bigger than the last time, folks.  I actually rolled out of bed this morning...LOL.  Still feeling great and had TWO checkups this week, so we know that everything is textbook, for both babies and mama.  If you haven't checked out the gallery, you will be shocked at how detailed their little faces are at this stage.  I taught some 1st graders this week, and they were all like "oooohhh...your babies are golden and shiny."  Kids are hilarious!  I also went to a MOM (Moms of Multiples) convention last weekend, and learned a lot from women who have been there.  Best advice - relax, and just roll with it.  You can never predict what two babies at the same time will be like, so let people help you and follow the advice that works best for you.  I'm thinking a bottle of Chardonnay a day should help out too - just kidding!   Today is my niece Clara's 2nd birthday (her first as a big sister to 3), and Earth Day, so be good to our planet everyone.  Peace... 

Halfway there, friends!  I know that the second half won't be nearly as pleasant as the first, but I'll take as many good days as I can get.   The babies Redko have decided that waking me up between 4:00-4:09AM every day is a fun game to play on mama.  Sign of things to come?  Seriously, I do believe it's nature's way of preparing you for the intermittent sleep of the first few months.  No worries - that's what naps are for!  A lot of movement (and a kick from Roman!) and stretching this week - a little uncomfortable, but not constant, so totally manageable.  We have a cool, 3-D ultrasound on Monday, looking at all their organs, etc. so I'll post modest photos in the gallery.  Our exchange student from Brazil - Maite - is coming to live with us for a few months starting this weekend, so she'll be a great help and we will get to practice having a teenage daughter.  Peter is scared!  Get used to it, buddy.  Kate will be 16 before you can blink!  My Rotary Club is having a Twin Redko Pool as a fund-raiser - guessing the time of birth and weights.  Very sweet and a nice tribute to these future volunteers of America.  xoxo

After seeing their sweet little faces (and other important parts!) on the 3-D ultrasound last week, and starting to feel movement at night, reality has set in.  These are little PEOPLE. As my friend Patter says, "there's a party going on in there."  Isn't that the truth?  I'm feeling very hopeful and positive that everything is going to be fine, and I can't look back - only forward and live in the moment.  No ultrasounds this week, but a big one coming up on April 19th.  Until then, just staying active during the day and resting when they tell me to slow down...they are in charge!  Baby shower will be on July 10th, and we are starting to get the room painted, etc. in May/June.  My dear friend Janet is going to paint a special Dr. Seuss mural for Roman and Kate too (when she's visiting in May).  I'm so lucky to have all of you as friends - talented and generous - what would I do without you?  More next week... 

Had to take pause this morning, as week 17 was where I lost my girls last summer (after almost four weeks of serious complications).  I'm so fortunate to have this second chance, and I think it's an even more astounding miracle based on what I experienced in the past. WOW!  These babies love music (just like mama), and I have been collecting songs since last summer that remind me of milestones and frankly - just make me a little happier.  Here's the current Top 10 play-list:  Kate's Song is There She Goes (The LA's); Roman's Song is Stay Up Late (Talking Heads).  Then we have:  Hey, Soul Sister (for Shari - by Train), Chances (Five for Fighting), Look After You (The Fray), Only the Young (Journey), Closer to Love (Mat Kearny), Haven't Met You Yet (Michael Buble), Two of Hearts (Stacey Q) and Waiting for You (Seal).  I'm still singing with my voice coach, Jan Emerson, and hope to record a demo before these guys arrive.  We'll see - time is flying by!