thank you notes

​“Well friends, it’s Friday (actually Sunday). That's usually when I catch up on some personal stuff. I check my in-box, I return some emails, and of course I send out my Thank You notes,” (Jimmy Fallon anyone?). 
 
With the twins’ delivery due at any moment (yep, still pregnant . . . 37 weeks and holding!), I’d like to take this time to write my Thank You notes for everyone and everything that got me through this miraculous twin pregnancy. 
 
In no particular order, and without any endorsements, here we go. 
 
“James, some Thank You writing music please.” 
 
Thank you, Victoria’s Secret consultant, for my first bra fitting in over a decade. You were right, my bras were too small, and your recommendations have served these past months well. I also really appreciate you not being offended when I yelled “shut up,” when you told me what my “true size” was. Again, it was the shock of going up that many cup sizes, not you. I hope to see you in the future if things every return to the way they were. 
 
Thank you, Rodan and Fields skin care and my consultant friend Christy for her spot-on recommendations. Yes, your prices do create a bit of sticker shock but when my skin literally began to sluff off during my first trimester, you kept it hydrated and intact. To everyone who said I have that “pregnancy glow,” I have to admit it wasn’t me. It was a combination of my ridiculously high body temperature (three body temperatures, my mother pointed out) and the use of R & F products. They may be high priced but I’m a believer they are also high performing. 
 
Thank you, triple metabolism for allowing me one last opportunity to eat carbs and still barely hit my doctor’s pound a week goal. Yes, I know our time left is short, but I’ll forever be grateful for the nine months of toast, biscuits, sandwiches, and buns that have sustained us. 
 
Thank you, Chick-Fil-A’s of Gainesville, Cornelia, Athens, and Rabun County, for not only providing fast and uninhibited Wi-Fi for my office days on the road. But Thank you for sustaining me during this twin pregnancy with your amazing egg and cheese biscuits and chicken sandwiches (extra pickles of course) without judgment. Even when I rolled through your drive-thru at 7AM on a Saturday morning with no-make up on, wearing my husband’s pajamas because nothing else fits, it was always your “pleasure” to serve me.  

In that same vein, Thank you CFA “One” App and customer service surveys. You have provided me with fourteen free sandwiches, two free biscuits, one free large fry, and one free large chocolate chip cookie. The boys love you already. And because of my deep affection for you and the gifts of my favorite Aunt Sheri, my boys will proudly rock those CFA onesies. Just wait for that Instagram post. 
 
Thank you, Danon Greek Yogurt (fruit on the bottom) which Jason now calls “Yogi.” You have not only provided much needed protein for me and my boys, but you have prevented nighttime nausea and hangry fits of discontent. Jason and I both thank you! 
 
Thank you Coke Icees, particularly the ones sold at QuikTrip, for getting me through my first and second trimester nighttime sickness. I know caffeine should be limited during pregnancy but seeing my husband walk through the door with you in his hands, made me love him even more.  
 
Thank you, iced tea for becoming my coffee replacement during pregnancy. I should have known something was up when my piping hot cup of morning java started enacting my gag reflex. But luckily the pure, unadulterated taste of unsweet tea (or half and half when needed) came to my rescue. Having not drank iced tea in years, I have now judged and categorized ice tea from all over North Georgia and if you are curious, here are the winners; 

1. The Place in Athens, GA (I even asked the waiter about the tea. That’s when you know it’s good. I should have written down the name, but I remember it was locally sourced and produced in Charlotte, North Carolina. God bless the South!) 
2. Midland Station on the square in Gainesville, GA (avoid the sweet, go purely unsweet to prevent a sugar crash) 
3. Dunkin Donuts, all locations. (Talk about a strong, pure tea brew! Who knew?) 
4. Chick-Fil-A (half and half tea with and egg and cheese biscuit . . . glorious combination!)
5. White Burch Provisions off the square in Clayton, GA (Iced green tea with two pumps of peach syrup . . . yummy! This little off-the-path coffee shop is my favorite work station between Rabun County school visits. See you in the fall, friends!)

​And because not everything I consumed has been what you might call healthy. Thank you, Juice Plus for coming to my nutrition rescue. I have been a fan of you for years but when your capsules disagreed with me early on, I was afraid my boys would lack the nutrition they (and I) needed.  Your customer service graciously switched out my capsules for gummies and it has been smooth vitamin sailing ever since. I attribute my ideal weekly vitals to you! 
 
Thank you to all the strangers who restrained themselves from reaching out and touching my growing bump. And even a greater thank you to all the ones who said I don’t look “that big” for having twins. The grammatical modifier “that” made all the difference for my self-esteem. 
 
Thank you, long torso for finally coming in handy! After all these years of struggling to find shirts and one-piece bathing suits that properly cover my bum, I now know why God created you so long: to hold these boys. I have no idea how petite woman survive carrying multiples but when I see I’ll softly say a prayer. 
 
Thank you, Le Tote Maternity (and my mother-in-law who bought that subscription for Christmas) for allowing me to rent all my maternity wear. And yes, the secret is out, I do wear the same outfit all week long but when you see different schools every day, why change it up. I’ll will mourn your subscription with every load of personal laundry. 

https://www.letote.com/maternity
​(Want a coupon code? Hit me up!)

Thank you, Blanqui Support Wear, for not only holding these babies in, but up! At this very moment I am holding in (and up) thirteen pounds of twins and an estimated twenty-two pounds of amniotic fluid. And yes, I feel every ounce. But you got me, friends. You have kept me from feeling like the damn could burst at any moment and for that, you are worth every penny! 
 
https://www.blanqi.com

​Thank you, Bath and Body Works’ Lay It On Thick Shea Butter body lotion. I first fell in love with you and your naturally tropical sent when I worked for BBW as a freshman in college. And even though you are now discontinued (which is ludicrous on the company’s behalf), I am grateful that I stocked up in November. Your lotion, scrub, and bar soap have now covered a lot of real estate and have prevented the first stretch mark.  Bless you, friend. Until I find another replacement, I’ll be forced to buy your overstocked inventory off Amazon. 
 
Speaking of Amazon, halleluiah and a huge thank you! Yes, yes, I know that Amazon is crushing the small business model of the American economy but when you live out in the middle of Banks County, Amazon Prime and the Amazon baby registry become your new best friend. Having orders and unexpected gifts arrive on your front steps is like Christmas without the chill and decorations. And thank you to everyone who ordered off my registry. Because of your love, we have earned $200 in free diapers from Amazon. And you know, dear friends, that will last us at least three weeks. Bless you! 

​Thank you doctors, nurses, and stenographers who have taken such amazing care of myself and these boys. I will truly miss seeing you each and every week. You guys are as much a part of this journey as anyone else and I’m proud to write your Yelp 5-star reviews and welcome you as a part of this miraculous family. 

Thank you, Aussie and Quigley for your unconditional puppy love, be that nausea or restlessness. Thank you for always being up for snack time or nap time. Thank you for keeping your little puppy eyes on me every time I shower, go to the bathroom, or (your favorite) walk to the frig no matter what time of the day or night. Thank you for your constant snuggles. I know you knew of their presence, heard their little heart beats, and felt their kicks long before the rest of us. They are oh-so excited to meet their big siblings and I know you two will reign Lord Protectors over your little brothers as you have been with me. I know these new little editions will change our family dynamics but don’t fret, we will never forget who our first-borns are and will continue to love you back unconditionally as they will too.  

​Thank you, Jason for being my best friend these past sixteen years, my husband these past eleven, my confidant, my sounding board, and my strong shoulder during these years and now months of waiting. Thank you for all the take-out orders, for learning to cook as I deliver instructions laying horizontal on the couch, for waking me up and bringing me a “yogi” every night at midnight, for allowing me to practically live in your pajamas and t-shirts these last few months, and for calming my nerves and anxieties when you see me about to go off the rails. People keep saying how good “I’m doing” but what they don’t see is how good “we’re doing.” We are a team which is why I am for once not fearful or anxious about becoming parents to twins. You take such phenomenal care of me and the pups, I can’t wait to see how you take care of our sons.  
 
Thank you, family, friends, and prayer warriors. This pregnancy, these sons, are a communal effort of countless prayers, commitment to Him, and patience for “such as time as this.” God is so remarkable that He timed this so that none could share the glory but Him. I know my story is a testimony of His love, His mercy, and His grace because never have I been to a baby shower where dear friends prayed and wept over such miracles. Those prayers, that moment, and His presence over us will forever be one of my most cherished memories. We have received cards, gifts, and prayers from all across the United States. From new friends, long loved friends, and from even one-time acquaintances. I know I am not worthy, nor am I equipped. But I know I am called and therefore God will equip us. 
 
The next time I see you all, my dear friends, I’ll be a mother. 
To God be all the glory. Great things He hath done and will continue to do. This is my prayer for us and for all of you!