Parents of 4

Bella couldn't wait to hold the babies
I can't believe I'm a mom of 4 girls
Breanna

We've waited so long for them and Tuesday night we finally got our sweet baby girls.
Here's a quick re-cap of what happened.
Laura took me to the doctor around 1:00pm and I was dilated to a 5 plus my contractions were 2 minutes apart. They did a quick ultra sound and noticed that one baby was breach so we knew it would be a c-section. I had never had one and Seth said it was cool to watch, but wasn't a big fan of the whole thing. Sydney
Sydney was the first to come out and she weighed 5 lbs 2 oz. and was 19 in long. Breanna was next and she weighed 5 lbs 15 oz. and was 20 in long. The best part was they got to come with us back to my room. No NICU! That was great news.
Every time I look at them I can't believe they were in my stomach. It's crazy! They are just beautiful and I can't wait to get them home.
I'm here for 4 days and then I can come home and face reality.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped. We love and appreciate you all.

A Few Firsts

This week has been pretty eventful around our house. Bella started soccer again. But for the FiRst time she is on a team of all girls. She loves it! She also had her FirSt day of school. She loves that to. This year she goes 3 times a week, which I love. To top off the week Seth had his appendix out and stayed over night in the hospital. That was a fiRsT, that I'm glad will never happen again. Of course it came on a day that I had been having a cramp in my side all day and could hardly walk. We made it though the day because of our amazing family and ward. Really we have been so taken care of. I even had a friend go to Costco and the grocery store for us. That was awesome to just write her a check as she brought everything in. We also had meals brought in. Even though I tried to say no, because of the freezer meals from the shower. But they all said to save them for after the babies are born. Seth thinks he will be recovered to go to the Utah game. We'll see. If he doesn't get to go this will be one of the fIrsT time in years he's missed the opening game.
I also went to the doctor today and had another huge shock. I still can't believe it but one of the babies is 5 lbs and the other is 6 lbs!!!! What the..? I have a friend who just had twins, and hers were that weight, and I remember thinking there's no way mine will be that big. I could never carry that much baby.
I'll have to take a picture for those of you who don't see me all the time, but seriously someone told me the other day that I look like I'm going to fall over in the front because that's where all the weight is. It's true. My stomach is all baby and getting so big! I've made an executive decision (without consulting anyone) that I'm officially taking myself off of bed rest, starting this weekend. Just don't tell my doctor. So if you see me lifting Claire or walking up and down my street, it's ok.

He knew this picture was going on the blog so he refused to smile

Bella is the tall one in purple

My man and his man

Seth is so excited because he is going to a Crimson Club lunch this week. When he first told me that Joe asked if he wanted to go, my response was, "So Joe can take one date and he chooses you? Not say.... I don't know...... his wife?".
Actually I think it's great. If anyone deserves a little fun and something to look forward to, it's Seth. These days, his days go something like this. Wake up, change Claire, feed kids, go to work for 8 hours, come home, make dinner, run errands (ie: grocery shopping, pick up prescription, get gas), if there are no errands then do dishes, laundry, mow the lawn, th fix the sprinklers, put the kids to bed and fall asleep by 9:30pm.
Don't feel too bad for him though, he still has his season tickets. He just couldn't go one season without his tickets. He would rather have them and not go to any games then not have them at all. The funny thing is he actually thinks he's going. I keep reminding him we're having 2 babies in September. But he tells me he's arranged for places for our kids to be for the first game. So we'll see how this goes.
I did ask him to take a picture at the lunch, to which he responded "why, so you can post it on your blog and mock me?". Ahh yes he knows me well!

Party Time!

Amber, Laura, & Marianne. The party planners that made it all happen.

Today was great. Laura and my friends Marianne and Amber threw me a baby shower. I was a little hesitant when they first brought it up because I already have 2 girls and the last thing I need is more clothes. But they suggested a freezer meal shower. Yes, they know me well. I was so excited! After a little talking though we decided not to call it a freezer meal shower, but rather just suggest some things we need.

The food was great, the friends and family were great and the gifts were great! I feel so spoiled! People kept saying sorry because they thought their gift was "boring". But, honestly freezer meals, diapers and wipes are exactly what we need. Thanks to everyone who came. It really meant a lot.

Oh and while I was gone Seth and our brother in law Nate put up our fence. I didn't take a picture, but I'll get one up soon. It looks awesome!

The nursery is almost finished as well and as soon as it is I'll post pictures.

Thanks again to everyone who came and helped. It means a lot to us!

Only a few more weeks to go. My doctor said if I went into labor in the next week and half he wouldn't stop it. He would rather I make it 3 more weeks. That puts me at 37 weeks. I think I can do that.

Are You Kidding Me #22

ksl.com - Former teacher pleads guilty to sex with student; community reacts

A few weeks ago we were at dinner with some friends and he just happens to produce the evening news for KSL. I'm fascinated with his job, by the way. Anyway we got talking about this story and he had read the police report and said it was very graphic and pretty gross. Well, now the guy has come out and said he is guilty. As I was reading the article I noticed that not only is he a seminary teacher, he is in his 60's (gross!, she is high school age for crying out loud) and he's a bishop! So my question to him and others like this is, are you kidding me? We give these adults positions of power, with our children and they totally abuse it. Now don't get me wrong I've worked with teenagers and I know kids, they can manipulate any situation. But seriously he was the adult. It seems like it's been happening a lot lately. There was a teacher at Bountiful Jr High, a few months ago that turned herself and another teacher in. I know people that know these women and they say they just made a mistake. I guess you could call it that. As I think more about it, this is a situation that has been going on for a awhile now. Mary Kay Letourneau ring any bells?
I'm not a big fan of home schooling. Please don't debate me on this. Do whatever you want. But I can see why people would want to home school and be in control of who is around their children. I guess what I really got thinking about after reading this article was that when we make choices they effect other people. I had to learned this the hard way during my divorce and I'm sure everyone has a story where someone else did something and they felt the consequence. Some times it's drugs or alcohol or even just selfishness that makes us and others make poor decisions. I just hate when the choices are bad and effect me.
Hopefully I can do a good job with my kids. I'll cross my fingers for their sake.

Woe is me! Okay not really!

In my last post I said how excited I was to get Seth home. It has been great, but of course nothing ever goes the right way when you have things planned. At least for me anyway. I had places for the girls to go every day this week, and then Bella got sick. And not just a cold, but apparently she was one day away from being hospitalized. She just had a common cold but with her asthma it was a thousand times worse. Her breathing was awful and she just wasn't herself. So I kept both kids home all week since the doctor said Bella was contagious.
Don't ask me how we've made it to Friday. Most days I was beat when Seth came home.
He has been great though. Fixing dinner, going to the grocery store, doing the dishes, and taking care of both sick kids. Yes, Claire got sick too. Of course. Nothing like Bella but she did have a runny nose, and fever.
Now they're both feeling better and Seth is off to Chicago. Just for the weekend, but it feels like much longer when he's gone.
One positive thing is that the kids have a place to go every day next week. Hooray!!!!!
I had a doctors appointment yesterday and a stress test today. Everything looks good. One baby is 4.3 lbs and the other is 3.13 lbs. I seriously can't believe they're going to get bigger. Bella was my biggest and she weighed 7 lbs. So I'm about maxed out on how much I can carry. Also to add to the news my doctor was sharing with me, he informed me he wants me to make it to 38 weeks. I almost started crying when he said. All I could think was, "where in the hell are they supposed to fit"?!!! This came as a shock to me because I thought we were shooting for 36 weeks. I know I need to think about what's best for the babies but some times all I can think about is how hard it is for me to get around and function.
Alright already! Someone should just slap me and remind me how lucky I am to have made it this far and not be on bed rest and how lucky I am that they are doing so well and how lucky I am to have such amazing family and friends to watch my kids and bring us dinner!
So okay, please forgive me for once again having a negative post. I promise I'll be better.

"I'm so glad when daddy comes home"

We were all singing that song when Seth came home Saturday night from a 4 day scout camp. He was soooo missed. I know he does a lot around here, but having him gone was a big reminder of how blessed I am to have such an amazing husband.

Claire walked around looking for him and saying his name every day. It was cute.

Somehow I managed to survive while he was gone. Actually it was all because of my amazing family and friends. My kids were taken care of every morning and brought back just in time for naps. I was able to get rest and they had fun. It worked out for everyone.

I haven't been put on bed rest, but I have been given lots of restrictions. It's extremely hard for me to take care of Claire. The biggest reason is because I've been told I can't lift her. She runs around all day making a mess and I've just reached the point where I need help. My kids are once again going somewhere every day this week. I am so lucky!! But this week it's even better because Seth will be home after 5:00pm every day!!! I'm 32 weeks now and I need to get through the month of August. Wish me luck!

Scary Stuff

I feel like the past few months I've been seeing so many stories about children being run over. For example last Sunday a 2 year old was hit in an LDS church parking lot, then 2 days ago a 4 year old boy was killed when his aunt ran over him. Last year one of Seth's clients, little boy was run over and killed by someone in the family. It scares me so bad. Every time I read or hear about a child being run over I can't stop thinking about it. Then when I try and sleep at night all I think about is it happening to one of my kids.
As heartbreaking as it is to hear about, it's such a good reminder for me. I've been having talks with Bella about how people in cars can't see little kids, and I think she understands but you never know. It's even more scary for the kids under 3 that don't understand. You think you're watching your kids so closely, but some times they get away.
Anyway I went on the Primary Children's Hospital web site and found this page about Spot the Tot. I thought I would post it as a reminder for all of us.
good to know
another good web site is www.kidsandcars.org it has some scary stats.

update on babies

I had a doctors appointment a few days ago and everything looks good. Somehow each baby gained a pound. One is 3.4 lbs and the other is 3.1 lbs. What I don't understand is how I only gained a pound, yet they gained 2? Someone told me my body must be working extra hard to keep these two alive and growing, and I probably worked it off. People have been very nice and complimentary about how I look, which I appreciate. But seriously I don't know how the babies are going to get any bigger in my body. The doctor measured my belly and it's almost the same as when I delivered Claire, yet I still need to make it at least 6 more weeks!!!! I've been lucky not to be on bed rest, but it's getting to the point where I basically am. I'm having to take people up on their offers to watch my kids. I keep thinking I can do it, but by the end of the night I have serious contractions. We're talking 2-5 minutes apart. So the less I'm on my feet the better, I guess.

Goodbye Mullet

I couldn't stand looking at Claire's mullet for one more second. I loved the curls in the back but, as someone so nicely told me it was looking like a black mans "jerry curl". Plus her bangs were totally in her eyes and she could never see. It didn't help that she always takes out the clips that I put in. So I decided to take her for a hair cut.

She freaked out, as you can see from the picture. But with a little candy and talking from Bella she was fine.

I can't say I totally love the end result. It seems a little too short in the back. But I'm so happy to have the mullet gone that I don't care. Seth on the other hand is totally upset. He LOVED the mullet. I think it's because he's sad he can't grow one and was living his fantasy out in her.

Happy Anniversary

As Seth looked at my huge stomach this morning he said "I can't believe it's only been 3 years." I second that thought. I mean if someone had said to me 3 years ago that we would have 3 kids plus Bella in 3 years I would have said, you have the wrong girl. That's not how I roll. Well, I guess it is how I roll.

I knew I married the right person when Scott told my parents "Seth was put on this earth to be a dad". He has always been a great dad to Bella and Claire and I know it will be no different when the twins come. He's had to be not only a husband during this pregnancy but also, maid, housekeeper, gardener, chef, and dad. He's done it all with a great attitude.

I love you!!!

Just a typical day for Claire

A typical day for Claire includes getting into everything and not staying still for one minute. I was fast enough this morning to snap a few pictures before church. (I've learned not to do her hair until we're in the car or she'll take it out).

First she climbed on top of the toilet, then went to the other bathroom and climbed into the bath tub, and last decided to take all of her toys out of their baskets. This all happened within 5 minutes. All I could think was I'm so thankful she's old enough to go to nursery. (Good luck Jenny).

If the twins come out like Bella I'll be ok, but if they come out like Claire I don't know how I'm going to do it.

I may be the only one who thinks this

I've been wanting to say something about this for awhile and I haven't. Mostly because I didn't want to offend anyone. But I can't take it any more.

Am I the only one who remembers that Michael Jackson was weird? Here's just a few examples: Never land Ranch, Accusations of sexual abuse against boys (and paying millions to settle), The Martin Bashir interview, Changing his skin color, Taking his new born baby home from the hospital with the placenta all over and leaving the mom (he told that story in his own words), Dangling his baby over a hotel room balcony, his chimpanzee Bubbles that he carried around and dressed like himself. I know there's more but you get the point.

Don't get me wrong I agree he was talented and in his early days accomplished a lot.

But seriously, if I see one more crazy person crying over his death I might scream. After all he's just a celebrity. His job was to perform and he did a good job.

I think it's fair to remember the good things about someone when they pass away, but I feel like everything I'm seeing or reading is making him into some sort of God, like he was perfect. And I've yet to meet any perfect person, especially him.

Sorry to be so negative. First my post about snails and now MJ.

On a positive note I did have an ultra sound today and I took Jan, Laura and Sharla. It was awesome to see that everything is going great and the babies are doing fine. Plus it was nice to have Jan and my sisters there and enjoy lunch at The Cheesecake factory.

Fun Day

I had an ultra sound this morning and took Jan, Laura & Sharla. It was so fun to have them all there with me. It was also good because they asked a lot of questions I would never have thought of. After the ultra sound we went to the mall and then to lunch. It was nice to have a get away and know the kids were safe at home with grandpa. I feel lucky to have such a great family!

Damn Snails!

I am so mad. I have really tried this year with my garden. Even in my pregnant state, I still water my flowers every day and keep up with the weeds. Then a few days ago I finally figured out why none of them are growing. And it's all thanks to snails. I thought I had it all figured out. I was doing everything I should be. But, apparently I wasn't. I hadn't even thought about snails. Well, the truth is I had seen them near the flowers I just didn't know they were going to ruin my garden. So tonight Seth sprayed or did something that should remove all the stupid snails. I really hope it works or I might be saying other words besides damn.

Scott Joined The Club

The married club that is. He is officially a married man and it only took 31 years. We're all so happy for him. He married a great girl who also has a great family. Best of luck Scott & Jamie. We love you guys!

And so begins the name game.........

I hate picking out names. Well that's not true. I should say I hate picking out girl names. Let me rephrase that, I hate picking out girl names with my husband. We never agree.
If you don't know the story of the last 2 names, it's pretty simple. My ex husband was an Ass so I got to pick Bella's name and Seth and I disagreed about every name under the sun, so I finally said I didn't care, which was true, and he picked Claire and we let Bella pick the middle name.
The ironic thing is we had 2 boy names picked out for this pregnancy, and we both really liked them, and I was so sure we were having boys that I honestly hadn't thought of any girl names.
So now people are starting to ask if we've thought of any names for the twins. We originally thought we could each pick a name and we'd have to agree, but that's not turning out to be a good idea. Mostly because we say the name we're thinking about and when we say them together and they don't match at all.
So here we are back at square one. I keep trying to push the thought of naming them aside, but it feels like I get asked every day what names we're thinking about.
My doctor and the ultra sound lady call them Baby A and Baby B, right now that's not sounding so bad.
If you have any good ideas send them my way. I need all the help I can get.

Random Things

On Monday I went to the doctor. It was for a regular ultra sound. Seth and I talked and decided to see if my dad wanted to come. After all he's never seen one and Seth wasn't going. So he took me and it was fun to see him get excited. He asked lots of questions. After the ultra sound I went back for my visit with Dr. Terry and my dad stayed in the waiting room. Turns out they were scared about this thing called Twin To Twin Transfusion. They've always said it was possible, especially with identical twins, but they were nervous because one was growing at a slower rate and had a sack of fluid around it. So they sent me down to another ultra sound place, one place I hope I never have to go to again. The doctor there was great and very nice, but I could tell it was the place they send people who have problems. Anyway everything turned out fine. They'll do another ultra sound in 2 weeks and every 2 weeks after that just to keep an eye on things.

Today I went to my cousin Jane's so she could teach me how to make Bula. I thought it would be fun to make it for my dad for Fathers Day. It turned out to be very easy. Although that said I've never made it by myself. So we'll see how I do tomorrow when I try again.

Later when the kids were playing Claire got into something in Bella's room so I hurried and scooted her out and shut the door. The only problem was her little finger was in the part that got shut. It nearly broke my heart. I hurried and picked her up and held her and immediately started crying with her. Not very helpful I know but my heart was breaking knowing she was in so much pain and I had cause it. I gave her her binky and blanket and put some ice on it. She calmed down pretty fast. But I haven't been able to forget that feeling. I love my kids so much and would die if anything ever happened to them, especially if it was my fault. This little accident made me think about how fragile these little ones lives are. I feel so blessed to have healthy, smart, beautiful kids.

Bear Lake + Good Friends - Kids = Amazing Weekend!

We just got back from an amazing weekend with some of our really good friends. I feel spoiled because we have such fun friends. We played tennis, went swimming, rode four wheelers, played golf, took naps, went out to dinner, played games, and stayed up every night until 1:00am just laughing.

I think my life would be complete if I could take a weekend away once a month with friends and no kids. Talk about relaxing! I took too many pictures to post and if I did you'd be here all day looking at them.

So now it's back to reality. I have a doctors appointment this week and he's warned me that this is the time he's going to start putting restrictions on what I can do from here on out.

At least we got one last vacation before the twins get here.

Are You Kidding Me # 20

Seth and I have been talking about the difference between a dog and Claire. I know that sounds rude and you might be thinking are you kidding me, how can she even say that? But Claire has so many similarities with a dog.

Now granted I don't have a dog and I'm not really a dog person. But there are a few things I know about them. For instance, it seems like you can tell a dog "get your leash and we'll go for a walk", and then it does it. Well, I can tell Claire, "Claire get your shoes and we'll go outside". She then gets her shoes and meets me by the door. The similarities don't end there. Claire loves the toilet, garbage can, eating out of my hand, giving slobbery kisses, and she'll eat just about anything and make a mess while doing it. I also think she's pretty cute and most people think their dog is pretty cute.

I love my little Claire no matter what she reminds me of and hopefully one day when she's reading this in the blog book she won't hate me. Just remember Claire, dad thinks it too, it's not just me.