Double trouble...

...coming our way

So what I failed to mention in my previous post of the almost year long catch up...was that in September last year we decided we were brave enough to try another round of IVF.  But unfortunately the powers that be thought that perhaps we weren't quite ready for another little miracle just yet.  So after 1 round of IVF, carried out over 2 cycles...after the first being cancelled and the second using frozen embryos which didn't take...we decided to have break before trying again.

It was during this break that Mark kindly signed us up for the Standard Chartered 10km race...something which I thought at the time I wouldn't be able to do, but which I'm very happy to say we both completed!  Mark in just under an hour, 53 min or so and myself in 1 hour!  Whilst I have probably hardly run since, I do hope this is something we can try to do at least once each year in the coming years, as it was really a great sense of accomplishment!

Then in February we started a new round of IVF, this time the doctor did everything the same as he had done with Hudson and the blood test was due not long before we were scheduled to leave for SA for our Easter holiday.... The results were in, it had worked, we had a POSITIVE...!  :)  Whilst it was all still very early days when we arrived in SA, it was great to be able to tell the families in person this time.  We were also due to have our first scan (6 weeks) whilst we were in PE and it was there we were given some rather interesting news....dum dum daaaa...the fact that we are actually expecting TWINS! Something that I don't think has really quite sunk in 100% yet!

Now its 12 weeks later, and I'm 18 weeks along and we have found out the genders of our new little Twiglets.  We had always planned on NOT finding out the second time round, but with double trouble coming our way (which was enough of a surprise on its own), we thought it best to be as prepared as possible!  So what would they be...we were both almost certain we were destined to have 3 boys, considering the dominance of the male Attwood gene, but... it appears I am in luck and we were told there was one of each baking away inside!

So whilst it all still a little scary, we can't help but feel doubly blessed!!  Hears to hoping the rest of my pregnancy goes well and we get to welcome Twiggie and Twigles in November later this year.

Another SA holiday and Hudson turns 2...

...Birthday celebrations in SA this year!

In true 'The Woods' style we decided fairly late in the day to do another South African holiday this year, to try an avoid what had been a very hot and long Dubai summer.  Whilst most go away during Ramadan in July, we decided to go for the month of August.  

Hudson and I got to spend some quality time with the Jhb family...spending a week at dam in Johannesburg with the cousins (and Aunty Claire and Uncle Grant).  Hudson had an absolute ball spending time with his older cousins, riding his bike, riding in the golf cart, jumping on the trampoline, playing ping pong and just enjoying the cooler (and at times the much cooler) outdoors, after having been cramped inside at home and at Mall Play Areas for over a month!

We then spent another week in Joburg, where for the first time since 2002 I myself celebrated a birthday in SA!  My sister and I got some time to ourselves, trying out our first (and probably last) fish pedicure ever... Claire initially wasn't too keen, as she is ticklish on her feet.  I on the otherhand am not, but that appears not to matter too much, as apparently I am very ticklish on the tops of my feet, which the fish seemed to migrate towards as well.... So lots of cackling and shreaks of laughter later...we could only stand a mere 15 minutes before giving up!  Our evening continued with some dinner and a movie (the first I have seen for many a month...probably in about a year!)

But what would a trip to SA be, without the visiting the rest of the family cities!  So after our time was up in Jhb, we headed for a quick stop in PE, where we got to spend some with Granny, Great-Granny, Granddad and Felicity.  I also got to see some good old friends, Shona and Jackie (and her 2 littles).

From PE we headed to East London, where we met up with Daddy, who had since arrived in SA to join us on our holiday.  We got to spend time with Grandpa, and little cousin James (and Aunty Helen and Uncle Ian), as well as see all the East London friends.  

And since Hudson's second Birthday was due shortly after we would get back to Dubai, we decided to celebrate his 2nd birthday with the friends (and the few family members in town) in SA too.  So it was here that we had Hudson's second Birthday Party.  

The theme for the party was none other than Hudson's favourite...Cars!  Doc Hudson, Lightening McQueen and Tow Mater featured as his favourites of course.

The table... 

    

 

The Cake...

 

 

The games...

 

The 'Thank You's'...

Once the party weekend was over, it meant our month long holiday was drawing near an end.  But not before a last 2 nights back in Jhb, to see the newly engaged Tim and Michelle and for Mark to have a quick catch up with my sister and family.  And another mini birthday celebration for Hudson with them.

A celebration of all things 2!

...2 big holidays to SA within the year...

...Hudson turning 2...

...2 birthday celebrations...

...the soon to be arrival of our 2 new babies...THE TWINS!

When life as we know it now, will no longer be...Watch this space!