Of course, that’s my completely objective opinion. Right now I’m on maternity leave and enjoying every minute! I don’t care that I usually don’t shower until noon because I’m too busy feeding, bathing, playing and talking with my baby. It doesn’t matter that I am usually covered with spit up, rarely put on make up and haven’t worn much besides leggings and nursing tanks for weeks. I am happy! So, the other day when I started worrying that I should be preparing to go back to work and brainstorming for my next endeavor, I stopped. I reminded myself that this time is precious and will go by so fast. I will never have it back. There will always be another project, but there will never be another newborn time in my daughter’s life. I don’t want to miss a minute!  So, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go play with my daughter.

–Jolynn Baca Jaekel has been a fitness professional for more than a decade, and is expecting her first child with husband Rob in January. She has joined forces with Lucky Lil’ Darlings to bring NY moms a weekly workout class with on-site childcare, intenSati for Mommies. Check out Jolynn’s class blog for more information on her classes and transition into motherhood!

-Photo by Amy Cannon Photography

Thursday: My husband and I headed for the east coast  for the hopeful weekend of babies. We jockied trains and subways and learned  what it feels like to be sardines in a can. The night ended with a calming dinner in the Upper East Side of NYC.

Friday: Got up early to clean and shop for my 30 year old daughter who never has the time to do it herself. Meanwhile, my pregnant daughter was at her doctor’s appointment and we were hoping it was going to be baby time, but no luck. Home to Jersey we went.

Saturday: We began the weekend sit in awaiting babies. My husband had trouble sitting for long periods of time, so he did a lot of eating and gained a few pounds as a result. I walked the streets of Bloomfield 30 mph winds and all and did the “Hazel the maid” cleaning there too.

Monday: I had to send my husband home. He is in the “oil” business and had to go to work. So the waiting game continues. Another appointment at the doctor’s tomorrow. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Tuesday: More waiting. Went to the hospital, but got sent home again.

Wednesday: They’re here!!

Ava & Amelia were worth the long wait!

-Mama Bell

I’ll be honest, things are getting tough; my waddle has turned into a slow shuffle. I think I’ve been handling my twin pregnancy very well; doing chores around the house, running errands, and even commuting into the city. The last couples of weeks I’ve made a point to take it easy, spending most of my days on the couch with my laptop, fortunate to be allowed to work from home.

36 weeks and ready to be a mom!

As I enter the final days/weeks of my pregnancy, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on how I’ve handled things, and what I would have done different. I do wish I would have taken a multiples birthing class; but of course I thought it was too much money. It would have been nice to feel a little more prepared, for my sake, and definitely for my husband’s! I also wish I would have stuck to my weekly yoga routine which I lost during my first trimester due to all-day nausea. So for all those moms-to-be, those are a few words of wisdom.

P.S. My husband told me he has a feeling I’m going to go into labor today so he’s working from home…any bets??

-Courtney has been a part of LLD since nearly the beginning, she has babysat for over 5 years with our troupe & now she is expecting her own lil’ ones. Courtney is LLD founder’s sister & lives in New Jersey with her husband.

The best part of the home stretch? Baby showers!

I’ve also been constantly wondering when my water might break, so I’m moving around very cautiously these days in order to avoid an early rupture. I’m at least trying to avoid this, but the babies have been moving around like crazy these days! I can’t imagine the limited space in there; they’re probably fighting for room! I had a growth scan today and it went very well, my doctor said I’m progressing great and that I’m a perfect candidate for delivering naturally. I have to tell you, I was leaning towards the c-section, just to make sure the babies came out quickly and safely, but since I’ve been getting good feedback, I think I might give natural delivery a whirl.

The only thing that makes me hesitant is the fact that I haven’t taken any childbirth classes. My doctor explained that since I’m having twins, most classes aren’t catered towards multiples- although I do know a couple people who have taken multiple specific classes and have raved about them. Now, of course, it’s a little late in the game for me to register because soon enough it will be a bit difficult to get around. I’m sure at the time of labor, I’m not going to remember anything and just listen to what the doctor and nurses tell me to do.

Who knows, maybe at the time of my next blog, I’ll be a mommy!!

-Courtney has been a part of LLD since nearly the beginning, she has babysat for over 5 years with our troupe & now she is expecting her own lil’ ones. Courtney is LLD founder’s sister & lives in New Jersey with her husband.

-Photos provided by Alita Perez