Parents

Jacob and I are really so lucky to have such great example of wonderful parents to follow after.  Both sets of parents have shown nothing but unconditional love and support for us and have served us (directly and indirectly) SO much during these last couple of months.  We are beyond grateful!
Like I mentioned before my mom and sister have come every weekend since January, to help take care of our little family.  My dad has come some weekends but is often left home to take care of business in Idaho, which is not easy either.  With their help we've made quilts for these new boys, cleaned and organized all of the boys' bedrooms, clothes, and toy room, deep cleaned my fridge, stove, and couches, not to mention the little things like putting little ones to bed, making dinner, cleaning up, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms and floors, laundry, taking kids to the park and on walks...the list really could go on and on. Not to mention the multiple times both Jacob and I were sick and they needed to take care of us as well. Once when returning to their own lives, which are busy, they too got our sickness and had to stay home from work or my dad, whom never takes a sick day, just took extra long lunches to try and sleep it off.  And then to top it off they will take our boys for a little over a week after the new twins come, so Jacob and I can bond with these new babies and I can rest and heal in peace before I try and tackle this new challenge.  We will forever be grateful for their service to us!

And then there are Jacob's parents who are currently serving as mission president in Korea, who have given us their busy time to talk and encourage us.  Especially when Jacob's job has been really stressful, it seems his parents are the only ones who can help him through, and for that I'm eternally grateful.  When they were being called, President Eyring told them: (and I'm paraphrasing) I know it will be hard for you to miss big events in your children's lives, but know that the Lord can take care of them much better than you can."  By serving their mission they are helping us have the Lord's strength.  While writing this it's made me think no wonder I've been able to make it through the weeks taking care of the boys when Jacob has worked an average of 12 hour days 6 days a week for the past month or two.  We've talked about how much of a blessing it has been that I've been able to still do so much; I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't extra blessings from Marshall and Susan.

As we raise our family the task of being a parent can be overbearing, luckily we have amazing examples of parents to look to!

Bad News...Good News

The bad and good news from today.

Bad news:  I didn't take a shower and although my brother said my hair didn't necessarily look like bed head hair, it also didn't look like I did it....Good news:  I only have 7 days until I deliver twins, so I don't really care what I look like.

Bad news:  The power went out today while Steven was at Preschool and I couldn't get the van out of the garage to get him on time...Good news:  It came on soon after so I was only 4 minutes late.

Bad news:  I was awoken from my nap to Ryan crying.  I went in to find both boys with their pants off and Ryan with his diaper off and poop in his crib.  Good news:  Instead of playing with it, he stood, pointed, and cried for me to take it away from him. Thankfully, it was an easy cleanup as well.

Bad news:  A door to door saleswoman came to the door and woke up Steven from his nap, meaning I would no longer have silence in the house.  (note:  When she looked at me she just laughed and when I declined her sales pitch quickly, she didn't argue...because she was still laughing.  Apparently being large with children and looking like you just woke up is funny.)...Good news:  We snuggled and watched Histeria on YouTube, it's like Anamaniacs but about history.  It really brought back some childhood memories.  

Good news:  My neighbor brought over dinner which all the kids ate.  No bad here, just good.

Bad news:  The rain today made all of us feel grumpy and the need to cry today, especially William and Ryan,...Good news:  Thanks to long naps and reading "Consider the Blessings"  by President Monson, our night was actually a happy and good one.

Good News:  Steven came into the room multiple times wearing a disguise and using made up names and voices of each new person.  Adorable...Bad news:  When trying a new disguise he almost knocked out one of his front teeth and was scared all of his teeth would fall out.  It's still unsure what will happen with said tooth, but it seems a dentist visit just moved up on the to due list.  

So long 26!

I love how when you become a mom, or really an adult, birthday's are really just another day...with some cake and ice cream at night.  But this birthday was really fun.  It started out with a visit from my brother Matt and of course calls, texts, and facebook messages from friends and family were sprinkled throughout the day.  Then Mom and Mel came and brought me lunch before I went in for a non-stress test.

I love the relationship my boys have grown with my mom!

After I returned from my non-stress test, everything was great with both babies, Mel gave me a foot message, it was really nice.

Once Jacob got home we went out to dinner just to the two of us.  It was so nice to be alone and Jacob gave me the sweetest present and took off his glasses during dinner so all he could see was me. I had all his attention.  (He gets distracted very easily when we are out for dinner, so this was such a nice gesture!) Then we went to Walmart to pick up some last minute items for the babies and our hospital bag.  Unfortunately I'm not really allowed to walk, and really can't walk long distances anymore, so Jacob insisted I ride in this cart.  I felt a bit foolish but I'm glad I listened because there was NO way I would have been able to walk all around the store like we did alone.  He even put his jacket down to cover the wet seat, what a cute husband!

In case you've never seen these carts, they are made for two children,
but luckily they are just a straight bench so a very pregnant woman
can also sit on it and be fine.

Then home for a delicious cake and really by then this pregnant girl was worn out! But it was such a great day, thanks to everyone who made it special!  Here comes 27 and all the excitement it will entail.

33 Weeks

 I'm 33 1/2 weeks along now and wanted to report on is going on with our new little boys.

I love how Steven tried to get into the bathroom but my big belly was in the way.

At 32 weeks I had another ultrasound and the boys are doing perfectly!  Baby A is VERY much down into position, the doctor said she's not sure how I'm still walking.  Slowly is the answer, if you wondered.  Baby B is up close to my ribs and although I heard different things at the actual ultrasound, in the report they gave my doctor they are both head down!  That is what we need if I'm going to have another vaginal delivery; which is what we REALLY want.  Baby A is 4 lbs 11 oz, and Baby B is 5 lbs 6 oz.  Both are very much proportionate and a bit ahead of schedule.  (William and Ryan were both about 5 lbs at this time, so they are growing at the same speed more or less).

Right now I'm going in every week for non-stress tests until they are born, which I have love/hate relationship with.  It's a pain to have to drive all the way to the hospital in Provo, but I love to get a glimpse of the boys and make sure everything is going smoothly with them.  After talking with my doctor he told me the hurdles or goals we have coming up.
34 weeks (on Monday!) - the boys will still need to go to the NICU, but not for as long and with no lasting effects.
35 weeks - He'll start to check and see if I'm dilating.
36 weeks - They won't stop my labor and the boys will most likely be able to come home with me!
38 weeks - They will induce me!  As long as I've progressed far enough.
So April 2nd in the date that we are shooting for, it's nice to be induced and know everything is taken care of at home.  It's less stress.  Which is only 4 weeks and 6 days away!
Sometimes I think that's not that long, I can do that.  Other days...it seems like an eternity!  I asked Jacob the other day if I could just have them now.  I know they'll have to go to the NICU, but at least I'd feel better right!?  After some rational thinking, we decided it was best they stay in there for as long as possible.

Physically, I think I'm feeling better than I did with the previous twin pregnancy, but that's hard to prove.  I really do pretty well most of the time, true getting up and down from the floor takes some effort and strength.  I spend a lot of time in the bathroom, for obvious reasons but also because I get short peaceful moments where I can sit and not have little ones trying to climb on me or NEEDING me to do something for them. I try not to lift the boys unless I have to, it takes a toll on my back later one.  And occasionally I can sneak into a store for a short trip, which is kind of a no no.  But I'm trying to just listen to my body and maybe stretch it to it's limits a time or two.

Emotionally I know I'm doing better than before.  I'm actually pretty calm about it all; I'm sure because I can picture how I'll do things in my head.  I actually think we can pull it off, once we get me healed all the way and get decent energy back.  I've made a rough schedule that seems pretty doable after the first couple of weeks are through.  But let me reassure all of you thinking she's crazy if she thinks it will be easy.  I don't.  I know there will be moments when all 7 of us will be crying.  Probably multiple times a day.  But all things considered, I think we can slowly get accustomed to our new life.  And can I say how amazing my neighborhood is?  We met with the Relief Society president and the compassionate service leader Tuesday night to talk about what we would need help with.  That night she posted on our neighborhood facebook group that we would need help with meals and the dates we were thinking of.  They offered 2 weeks, which I was floored to get that much and graciously accepted.  In 24 hours time 26 families had volunteered to bring us meals or help in any way possible!  Unbelievable!  We really do live in the best ward and neighborhood.

Highlights of a Tough Week

I was trying to figure out a way to put last week into words but all that came to mind was: tough.  We were all sick and to add to that Jacob worked LONG hours; did I mention he was/is also sick?  So I'm hoping this week is a bit better.  But some fun highlights of the week include:

Addition snuggles from Ryan who was the first to fall hard to the cold 

Big boys wearing little boys' clothes, and yes they each wore those pants all day (24 months). 

piggy back rides.  I love how whomever is on the back always holds onto the fronts' waste.

Serious games of connect four 18 month old addition

Just plain being cute

Snuggles from William who was the last to fall to the sickness.
Luckily Grandma's are great for cuddling.

Today started out rough but we made up for it with some highlights.  I actually got everything done on my to do list which included some cleaning.  We went outside to play since it was a beautiful day.  It may be the last time for a while, I forget how hard it is to keep 18 month olds who are used to being cooped up from traveling too far and into the road. I may have pushed my limits a bit.  We all took a well deserved nap, and had cereal for breakfast because I was too hot to cook anything.  But what was really new today was that William and Ryan joined us at the table for the first time.  (They are usually off the side right next to each other, but I was sick of William picking on Ryan.)  They were so happy to be there and did well with not grabbing everything on the table, which I was worried would happen.

Bad Days Happen

I was awake for only a short time before I could tell it was going to be a bad day.  I'm on the verge of having a cold, or getting over one I can never tell, and at least 3 of the boys are also showing signs of sickness.  By 8:30 there had been WAY too many tears and fights.  It was going to be a long day.  I went on facebook to try and distract myself from feeling too sorry for myself, when I saw a link shared by the Church about how to keep your sanity in a house of small children.  It was like it was meant for me.  It was a radio segment with two veteran moms who talk about their experiences.  They started talking about how big a responsibility it is and how overwhelming it can be and ways to help like, writing in your journal and focus on gospel principles.  Things that on a day like today would make me feel like a failure.

But what popped into my head, a tip from my Heavenly Father I'm sure.  Sometimes you just have bad days.  Everyone has them, you're not a bad mom if you do.  Just accept it and try to do your best. Not your best that happens when the stars all align, and you play happily with your kids all day.  You spend the day singing and dancing while you clean the house and then have deep meaningful conversations with each individual child.  Not that kind of best.  The kind of best where you make sure your kids are fed and relatively safe.  That's all you can do; that's your best.  We have different variations of bests and it's okay if not everyday is extraordinary.  It's okay if sometimes you just survive instead of thrive.  It's okay if you don't seize every moment and find the joy in the journey of every moment.  Some days are just bad.

Don't get me wrong, I did relish in some moments:  William randomly blowing me kisses during lunch.  Christopher and Steven taking a break from fighting to analyze and play with every component of their trail mix after lunch.  Ryan snuggling with me for a minute or two before bed.  I laughed when Christopher said to Steven, "If you don't give it to me, I'm going to ask louder.......GIVE IT TO ME!"  I broke out the camera to video the boys playing with helium balloons with forks tied to the bottom...until a fight broke out.  I actually made dinner with enough to freeze for another meal.  There was good a midst the bad.  But today I learned bad days happen (hopefully not more than one day in a row), but when they do, it's okay to call it like it is.

Weekend Fun

My mom and sister have been truly angels and have come down the last 6 weekends to help us out as I've been trying to do less around the house.  And of course we've had party's most of the weekends due mostly to birthday's, either way we love a good family gathering.  (It has also been nice to have fun things to look forward to and to help pass the time.  I don't have pictures of every event like going to lunch and dinner for Melanie and Matt's birthdays, and the many laughs that occurred.

 For my mom's birthday we threw her a surprise party.  She went to the temple then we had 6 of her kids come with their families to our house and wait for her arrival.  Even my dad came down to help surprise her, I think he was her favorite surprise. We of course had pizza, cake, and ice cream to help celebrate.

The video of when she came home, it might not be able to play,
but know she was truly surprised!

 Like I mentioned earlier, my mom and dad took Steven and Christopher to Cabella's for Christopher's birthday, and I finally have some pictures of it.

Uncle Matt took Steven to the Lego Movie 3D, he of course had a blast!

 Yesterday we had baby shower for family and friends in the Provo area, everyone was so nice and we got quite the load of diapers and wipes!  This of course turned into an impromptu party later back at our house with a trip to the park.

Mom and all her girls

Steven and Malachi

Christopher and Anna

 I just love this last picture, it really says a lot about my boys' personalities.  Plus it just makes me laugh!