This morning we had a much anticipated appointment with a midwife and twins specialist at the hospital in Dundee where we'll deliver.

(Being here and seeing so many different people, I can't imagine I'll have time to blog each and every appointment. No hard feelings if I don't? Thanks).

The midwife was great, but hated the doctor. She sat us down and played out the worst case scenario for our delivery. Everything from the scheduled induction and Pitocin drip to the episiotomy and forceps or vacuum extraction-- covered.

Thank God for my composed husband who asked questions and wanted explanations as to why we'd need to "get things going" if both babies are happy and healthy.

I've never hoped to carry these twins all the way to 38-39 weeks, but never ever have I wanted to abandon our natural beliefs and choose to birth them early.

Nonetheless, they do have a policy here of inducing multiples in the 37th week (in the States it's around 38 generally). Talk about a teary-eyed momma. That was me. I simply couldn't imagine choosing a date and taking drugs to make my babies come, obviously before they are ready. However, there is a slim chance we'll make it to week 37 anyhow, so I'm not worrying myself over that. I just can't.

Here's a pleasantly surprising tidbit, and what we are praying will be our situation: here, twins born between 34 and 36 weeks go home within 2-3 days of being born if there are no complications during delivery. Major shocker and totally different than they do things in the US.
So the good news: if we don't make it to the induction date and things happen naturally, our little ones will most likely come right home with me. Obviously, this is great and would be the preferable option.

I do have to say a word about the midwives over here: they're great. Sweet, gentle women that seem to understand our desires for a natural, more comfortable birthing experience, and I'm so grateful they can be present for the births. Peter shared with her our plans for a natural birth experience, and she rekindled our hopes of getting just that.

We made it to the sea yesterday. 33 weeks. . .

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my prenatal midwife close to home. If there's any new info I'll try my very hardest to write.
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Yesterday we had a great evening touring St. Andrews. It all started with a walk to the beach, and we quickly ventured further and further from home, finding ourselves miles from our cozy abode but amidst castles, harbors, piers and cathedrals steeped in history.

The North Sea, just after the tide had gone out.

A harbor, built in 1100. Peter, "This is where the mermaids live." 

Maybe I'm stupid, but I was thrilled to learn
these baskets don't just exist in old fishing
movies.

Here is the exact location (in front of St. Andrews Castle)
 George Wishart was burnt after being betrayed by Cardinal Beaton
His fellow Reformers later stormed the castle, killed the
Cardinal, and hung his body from the castle walls. They
 held the castle for two years under the assistance of England.

Patrick Hamilton, 24, was burnt here, just outside
St. Salvators Chapel, for heresy because he loved Luther, too.
 He was the first martyr of the Scottish Reformation.

Living here has been great thus far. We really do love the quite area we live in, and appreciate the walk into "town". My social butterfly of a husband has gotten out significantly more than I have since I've been keeping the walking to a minimum. He has made friends, discovered favorite pubs and Scottish brews, and walked miles of the town.

Remember that cute picture I posted of the deli/cafe/pub with the open window, herbs, and baskets of bread sitting out?

This is the one.

Well, Peter now works there. It's a hopping little spot, really.  In their first 8 weeks of being open (just this April) they served 10,000+ shots of espresso. Their ingredients are locally grown and raised, and their menu is quite unique. They serve a range of crowds, too-- open from 8am-midnight during the week, and later on the weekends.