Neglecting to update

Our front lawn is coming in nicely, and I have neglected to update about it at all.

Here is the picture of right after we planted:

 Day 1:

Week 2: 

Week 5:

Things are growing pretty well, but the weeds are LOVING all the water! We are now in "kill the weeds" mode.

I need some grass killer for the flower bed too.

This poor section is pretty overgrown with weeds, and I am hoping we can get rid of them by winter.

  

Surprisingly, the area we thought was going to do the worst, is doing the best. The grass is SUPER happy in this front section. It also has the least weeds.

 There is even a tiny bit that could stand to be mowed.....but it is only about the size of the mower so I think we will just leave it for now.

We are planning to re-seed this next weekend, and fertilize some more. Hopefully the weeds that we sprayed will have died by then, and I can pull them up before we fertilize. I think we need to water the slower growing sections more and see if that is what is keeping the grass from really taking off. I am LOVING having green in the front! I almost can't wait to do the back yard next year.

Only 15 left!

Pregnancy Highlights: This week, for the most part, was pretty good. I am still tired and exhausted a lot of the time, but not as uncomfortable as I was last week. I think part of the reason I am so tired is that I haven't been eating enough protein. I am just not a huge fan of eating lots of meat, or beans, so I have been trying to figure out ways I can get more. Protein is vitally important during pregnancy, and even more important during a twin pregnancy because my body is supporting two instead of one.

How Far Along: 25 weeks

Size of baby: About 13" tall and roughly 1.5 lbs 

Weight: 200.4 - the scale at the doctor said 202 though :(

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 18 lbs

Stretch Marks: They are coming! I have a couple right at the top of my belly that are turning red and shiny, and I am sure there will be more soon. I feel like I am almost as big as I was when I had Kaylee, so it shouldn't be long before I am covered.

Maternity Clothes: Both my mom and little sister have gotten me some maternity shirts and a pair of pants/capris. It is SO nice to have more than 5ish shirts and a couple pairs of jeans

Genders: Girl/Girl!! 

Name: Baby A will be Courtney Maren (we are still discussing this baby's first name, so it may change), and Baby B will be Alexis Marie! I am so happy to have names for these little girls. We still have back up names for just in case the babies don't fit the names once they are born.

Movement: Almost constant movement this week. Not anything painful or super crazy, but they did have their moments.

Sleep: My wonderful older sister got me a new body pillow for Mother's Day!! It has been SO nice having a new one. 

Exercise: I actually did some yard work, walked the dogs, and cleaned the house a lot.

Hypnobabies: The twin affirmations is great! It's pretty much the same thing as the regular one, but it has a lot a really good support and encouraging for moms expecting twins. I am super excited to start the actual course next week....or the next. I really can't decide when I want to start. I don't want to start too early and then get burnt out and not want to listen/practice near the end, and I don't want to start too late and then not finish the course or have enough time to practice before the babies get here.....which could be earlier than the normal baby.

Symptoms: I am still pretty exhausted, but this week, I have been having bursts of energy every couple days. Other symptoms have been back ache, sciatic nerve pain/numbness, balance issues.

What I miss: Being able to breathe! Lol, my lung capacity has been greatly compromised this week.

Cravings: I have been craving sugar a lot this week and have been trying to avoid it.

Aversions: Eggs! This is a complete opposite from the last two babies, with them I couldn't get enough. Other than that, I can't think of anything really big.

Things to do: I feel SO behind on everything now! Here is my list, which will be crossed off as things get finished: Buy the big stuff (crib, carseat, stroller, two bouncers), buy a BIGGER CAR, paint the room, make/buy bedding, sew/buy 24 diapers (the number is getting smaller!), wash clothes, install both infant seats, paint name letters, rearrange nursery ( I don't know how we are going to fit two cribs), buy more girl's clothes, not go crazy,

Best Moment this week: I got to go on a quick little tour of the labor and delivery section of the hospital. I think I will probably go again with Robert just to get some more information, and see some of the newer rooms. I wish this hospital had you stay in the same room from check in to check out, but the rooms are nice enough.

Looking Forward To: September.....this one might be permanent!

Picture(s) for this week:

Week 25

Adbentures with the grandparents

We had some much needed visits with both sets of grandparents this month, and Kaylee loved both of them.

A couple weekends ago we went up to Robert's parents' house to pick up Kaylee after she had been there for a couple days. She was very glad to see us and tell us all about the things she had been doing. She was VERY overtired, and luckily took a nap on Saturday while we were there.

Robert's parents live next to a really big field that is usually full of horses, but when we were up there it was empty and the gate was open. So we took Kaylee on an "adbenture"  and walked all the way around the field. We saw a couple of lost baby lambs (sad, and I hope they found their way home) and played in the irrigation ditch that was overflowing a bit. Kaylee wanted to basically live out there, she loved it so much. I wish I had some pictures from walking in the field, but maybe next time we go up we can do it again.

We didn't end up going to church with their family because we thought Robert was working Sunday and didn't pack any Sunday clothes. It turned out that he wasn't working, so we were able to go to church at our ward together.

The next weekend for Mother's day we went to my parents' house to visit. We went down Saturday afternoon and then Robert came home Sunday evening and I stayed over and came home on Monday morning.

We went on a little cook-out up the canyon on Saturday evening, and Kaylee had a blast exploring the woods with the dogs. She had NO fear! We kept having to remind her to stay close because she would take off to find sticks and plants and flowers. She kept wanting to go on an "adbenture" wearing Robert's Australian hat. My little brother Daniel was awesome with her and would go on walks up the road with her and the dogs.

Kaylee and Robert on an adbenture with Kaylee wearing the hat

Kaylee loved being able to go out into the yard and help my mom with the garden, feed grass to the horses, chase pet the cats, and run around on the lawn. She loved just rolling and jumping and spinning around on the grass.

It was great seeing family, I feel like we haven't been to either parents house in quite a while. I want to get back in the habit of going up once a month. It will get immensely harder to go anywhere after the babies get here, and our families may have to come to us for a while.

24 down 16 to go!

Pregnancy Highlights: I pretty much have wanted to cry most days this week. I am tired all the time. Pretty much, I drag myself out of bed in the morning, sometimes get a nap if Kaylee takes one, and then am exhausted all evening until I crawl back in bed. Sometimes I think that bed rest would be awesome. I admit that I could go to bed earlier, but I need some time to cool down before the next day starts. Yesterday I took a 2 hr nap, and went to bed early....and I finally feel somewhat human today!

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of baby: About 1' tall and roughly 1.5 lbs 

Weight: 196.8

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 14.2 lbs

Stretch Marks: I officially have my first new stretch mark. the skin around my old belly button piercing is starting to get that red shinny look that means a stretch mark is on its way. Other than that, my skin is actually handling this really well so far. *Knock on Wood!*

Maternity Clothes: Both my mom and little sister have gotten me some maternity shirts and a pair of pants/capris. It is SO nice to have more than 5ish shirts and a couple pairs of jeans

Genders: Girl/Girl!! 

Name: Baby A will be Courtney Maren, and Baby B will be Alexis Marie! I am so happy to have names for these little girls. We still have back up names for just in case the babies don't fit the names once they are born.

Movement: The babies were both pretty quiet for most of this week. They had crazy moments, but more than once I broke out the doppler to make sure they were ok in there.

Sleep: My wonderful older sister got me a new body pillow for Mother's Day!! It has been SO nice having a new one. 

Exercise: This week the day to day surviving was about as much exercise as I needed. I did walk the dogs a couple times, but I think those walks are going to have to wait until I can go without Kaylee. Pushing the stroller is just too much :(

Hypnobabies: The twin affirmations is great! It's pretty much the same thing as the regular one, but it has a lot a really good support and encouraging for moms expecting twins. I am super excited to start the actual course next week....or the next. I really can't decide when I want to start. I don't want to start too early and then get burnt out and not want to listen/practice near the end, and I don't want to start too late and then not finish the course or have enough time to practice before the babies get here.....which could be earlier than the normal baby.

Symptoms: Exhaustion. I have been over-all really uncomfortable this week, and I know it is only going to get worse from here. I have to say that, while I still love being pregnant, this is getting really really difficult!

Throw up tally: Around 25 (I am losing count) I think I am done with this part of pregnancy for now. I just have to remember to eat small meals.

What I miss: Having the energy to play with Kaylee and/or the dogs. Heck, I miss having energy period!

Cravings: I am to the stage where if I think of something that sounds good I suddenly have to have that NOW. It's pretty hilarious to most people, but sometimes it is really inconvenient.

Aversions: Eggs! This is a complete opposite from the last two babies, with them I couldn't get enough. Other than that, I can't think of anything really big.

Things to do: I feel SO behind on everything now! Here is my list, which will be crossed off as things get finished: Buy the big stuff (crib, carseat, stroller, two bouncers), buy a BIGGER CAR, paint the room, make/buy bedding, sew/buy 24 diapers (the number is getting smaller!), wash clothes, install both infant seats, paint name letters, rearrange nursery ( I don't know how we are going to fit two cribs), buy more girl's clothes, not go crazy,

Best Moment this week: Bed time every day.......lol did I mention that I have been exhausted all week??

Looking Forward To: Doctor's appointment on Tuesday and possibly taking a tour of Labor and Delivery

Picture(s) for this week: -

Week 24

A day for mothers

This Mother's Day was one that I didn't know how I was going to feel. Most mother's who have lost a child say the the Mother's Days that follow are tainted and emotionally difficult. This was not my experience.

I don't know if I am just excessively happy or what, but I loved this Mother's Day. I am so grateful that I am now the mother to 4 girls! That seems so crazy and impossible to me, but it is true and wonderful. Cadence's little spirit was close by all day and I am so thankful to have had her even just for a little while.

One thing I wanted for Mother's Day was a ring to replace my wedding ring for a while. My wedding ring hasn't fit since about a month before Kaylee was born. Sad. I haven't wanted to re-size it because, in some weird way, I feel like making it bigger gives me permission to stay overweight. I know that having it fit wouldn't magically make me feel like being overweight was ok, but I like having that ring as a goal to work towards. So, we went in on Saturday to get me a new ring. It was a relatively quick decision and, luckily, didn't cost as much as I was imagining. It had to be re-sized and I picked it up this morning. I LOVE having a ring to wear in place of my wedding ring!

This ring will be my pregnancy ring until we are finished having children. After that, we will get it re-sized to some other finger. When I have gotten down to my goal weight I am almost 100% positive that my wedding ring will fit again. If it doesn't we will have to re-size it.

Robert, Kaylee, and I went down to visit my parents this weekend, and spend Mother's Day with them. My little brother and sister were also there, and it was great to all be together for a visit.

I am so grateful for my mother! She is an amazing home keeper, and has so many talents. I hope one day to be more like her. Thank you mom for being so wonderful to us children!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Week 23

Pregnancy Highlights: I am feeling pretty good still. I keep expecting this to get super hard with two babies, but it hasn't yet. I know that I will be eating my words in a month or so.

How Far Along: 23 weeks

Size of baby: About 11" tall and just over 1 lb. - According to our anatomy scan on Wednesday, Baby A is 1 lb  oz, and Baby B is 1 lb 1 oz - That is pretty darn close in weight! 

Weight: 194.2

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 11.6 lbs - I am not gaining enough, and I know it. This week I am really going to look at my diet and try to eat what my babies need.

Stretch Marks: I officially have my first new stretch mark. the skin around my old belly button piercing is starting to get that red shinny look that means a stretch mark is on its way.

Maternity Clothes: Both my mom and little sister have gotten me some maternity shirts and a pair of pants/capris. It is SO nice to have more than 5ish shirts and a couple pairs of jeans

Genders: Girl/Girl!! 

Name: Baby A will be Courtney Maren, and Baby B will be Alexis Marie! I am so happy to have names for these little girls. We still have back up names for just in case the babies don't fit the names once they are born.

Movement: Things are pretty crazy in there lately. They are getting more active and stronger, so the movements are getting bigger. They have times where it feel like they are practicing kung fu or something like that. I love knowing where they are so I can say "that's Baby A kicking my ribs"

Sleep: Sleep is getting better again, though I think I need a new body pillow. Mine is getting a bit flat.

Exercise: Not a ton lol. A few walks, and I did actually start lifting some weights (little dumbells) and doing other arm and leg exercises.

Hypnobabies: The twin affirmations is great! It's pretty much the same thing as the regular one, but it has a lot a really good support and encouraging for moms expecting twins. My plan is to start the official course at 25 weeks, and stretch some weeks out if I feel like I am not getting my practice in enough. That is something I didn't do my best at when I did the course with Cadence, though the little bit of practice I did do really helped during labor with her. If I am going to have a successful natural birth with these babies I will need every bit of practice the class recommends.

Symptoms: I feel like I am about 10 weeks further along than I really am. I can already tell that I am starting to waddle a little, and sitting is becoming more difficult. My back is tired....not really sore, but tired. It is soo daunting to know that I still have almost half the pregnancy still to go.

Throw up tally: Around 25 (I am losing count) I think I am done with this part of pregnancy for now. I just have to remember to eat small meals.

What I miss: Not much. It is getting harder to do things, but I am still pretty positive about everything

Cravings: I am to the stage where if I think of something that sounds good I suddenly have to have that NOW. It's pretty hilarious to most people, but sometimes it is really inconvenient.

Aversions: Eggs! This is a complete opposite from the last two babies, with them I couldn't get enough. Other than that, I can't think of anything really big.

Things to do: I feel SO behind on everything now! Here is my list, which will be crossed off as things get finished: Buy the big stuff (crib, carseat, stroller, two bouncers), buy a BIGGER CAR, paint the room, make/buy bedding, sew/buy 36 diapers, wash clothes, install both infant seats, paint name letters, rearrange nursery ( I don't know how we are going to fit two cribs), buy more girl's clothes, not go crazy,

Best Moment this week: Feeling them move so much more this week! They literally DID NOT STOP for the entire day of Mother's Day.

Looking Forward To: Getting our refund from the birth center so we can go SHOPPING!

Picture(s) for this week: -




Week 23.........................












Shall we compare to last WEEK!??

22 weeks

How about to 32 weeks with Cadence?

32 Weeks

Or with Kaylee?

33 weeks

Estrogen City!!!

We had our full anatomy ultrasound today and in the hour we got to look at the babies, they determined that they are "for sure" both girls. I know plenty of people who had baby "girls" come out as boys, but the tech was pretty darn sure they are girls. Here they are:


Baby A's head on the lower left - Baby B's head on the upper right

The ultrasound was SO wonderful and long! I was anxious the entire time that they would find something glaringly wrong with one or both babies, but they seem to be perfectly healthy and active. I think now I can relax a little more for the next several ultrasounds. We have another one in a month, and I can't wait.  I love seeing them both in there together.

I learned today that the babies wont completely switch places in my uterus. Baby A will always be on the bottom and Baby B will always be on top. That is how twins work. They have their own sides of the uterus and stay there, but may switch their position within their side of the uterus.

Baby A:

Head on the left, spine along the top right

Feet

Baby B (much more cooperative, so more pictures of her):

Head on the left, belly on the right, and arm on the top

Head on the right facing down, arm on the bottom

Face on the right (facing the camera) belly on the left, hand/fingers on the top between head and body

Head on the right facing down, spine along the top left

We also got to meet with my new doctor today! It is strange to have a male OB. From the beginning of having children, I have liked having a female OB. I just don't like the idea of a strange male down there all in my girly parts. So, this will be hard for me, but he comes recommended as the guy to go to for the best chance of having the twins vaginally. He is one of the only OBs in SLC who is willing to try to deliver breech babies, singleton or multiples. He assured me today that there is a very good chance that I can have my natural, vaginal delivery of both these little girls. That was so good to hear! I am faltering a little in my resolve to not get an epidural though lol. I need to listen to my Hypnobabies about a million times to get my resolve up again.

I have already had a lot of people ask if these girls are identical or fraternal. The answer so far is WE DON'T KNOW YET! Here is the reason why. The only babies who that can be for sure fraternal in utero are boy/girl twins. Any same sex twins are potentially identical. The only exception to this is babies who share a placenta AND amniotic sack. They are for sure identical. But, babies who have the same placenta and different sacks or babies like ours who have different placentas and different sacks could be either identical or fraternal. It all depends oh how the twins are created. 

Fraternal twins are two different eggs, fertilized by two different sperms. Fraternal babies are no more alike genetically than any siblings would be. Identical twins are from one egg who, after it is fertilized, splits into two identical babies. Depending on how long the egg waits to split will determine if the babies with be in one sack, separate sacks, one or two placentas.

One way to find out if the babies are identical before they are born is to get an amniocentesis.....yeah right! I am not about to risk our babies lives to answer the identical/fraternal question. What we will probably do is wait until they are born and if they start to look freakishly identical we will order a DNA test kit and test to see if they are identical.

Now to name them. Sigh. It is going to take us a while. Girl names are something we just don't agree readily on. Robert is more picky about it than I am, but we will figure it out. I can't wait to have them named! It just seems to make it more real.

22 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights: The idea that we are having twins is slowly settling in more and more as reality. It is scary, overwhelming, exciting, exhausting, and SCARY a million times over. I have to stop myself from getting carried away thinking of the realities of having two newborns plus Kaylee. Ideas pop into my head like how going to the store with all three would work, and I start to get a little panicky.

How Far Along: 22 weeks

Size of baby: About 11" and weighing about  1 lb - I am using the singleton baby stats, because I can't find anywhere that specifies a growth pattern for twins week by week. Chances are the babies are slightly smaller than those.

Weight: 193.2

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 10.6 lbs - gained back what I lost, but no extra. I tried really hard this week to eat as soon as I was hungry and to eat healthy stuff. My problem is getting enough protein. Red meat doesn't sound good very often, and eggs are gross. So I am stuck with chicken and sometimes pork. 

Stretch Marks: Only the ones that haven't faded from my pregnancy with Cadence - Lol, I think it would be a miracle if I got through the next 19 weeks without getting a whole butt-load of marks. I have found a new love for my burt's bees belly cream. I know that, for the most part, creams and such wont help prevent the marks, but I also know that scratching them makes them worse, and moisture prevents itching

Maternity Clothes: Yes....preparing myself to outgrow much of it by the end though

Gender: Girl & ?Girl? - We will get another look on Tuesday!

Name: The names we choose will remain private (at least on here) until He/She is born

Movement: They are always moving. Now that I know there are two, I can feel heads in different places, and it explains how I am getting kicks almost all the way around my stomach.

Sleep: Sleep is getting better again, though I think I need a new body pillow. Mine is getting a bit flat.

Exercise: This week was exhausting. I was trying my best to stay calm and rested until the trial, but it didn't seem to happen. We ended up doing Thursday and Friday of the trial, and I very much wanted to do Saturday as well. Instead, we went up to visit Robert's family and had a wonderful time there. Today, my body is tired.....well exhausted is a better word for it. I am just sore and tired everywhere and can't seem to get comfortable other than laying down. From now on I think walking will be our only form of exercise. Maybe some weights for my arms (they have to be ready for carrying TWO car seats around!), and of course pregnancy exercises.

Hypnobabies: I have been listening to the positive pregnancy affirmations at least once a day and every night as I fall asleep. I also just got the Twin specific CD, but I haven't gotten around to listening to it yet....probably tonight. My plan is to start the official course at 25 weeks, and stretch some weeks out if I feel like I am not getting my practice in enough. That is something I didn't do my best at when I did the course with Cadence, though the little bit of practice I did do really helped during labor with her. If I am going to have a successful natural birth with these babies I will need every bit of practice the class recommends.

Symptoms: Most of my discomforts have calmed down this week. I do still have some back pain, but most of my belly pain is gone. I pulled some muscles running agility, but other than that I am doing pretty well.

Throw up tally: Around 25 (I am losing count) I think I am done with this part of pregnancy for now. I just have to remember to eat small meals.

What I miss: Not much. It is getting harder to do things, but I am still pretty positive about everything

Cravings: Chipotle burritos and Peanut Butter sandwiches. I am starting to feel slightly hungry all the time. I think it is because I am NOT eating enough to support two plus me. I am burning roughly 600 calories a day just growing babies and I am probably not adding that many calories to my days. I need to start. I want healthy babies!

Aversions: Eggs! This is a complete opposite from the last two babies, with them I couldn't get enough. Other than that, I can't think of anything really big.

Things to do: I feel SO behind on everything now! Before, I felt like there was little I had to do because all we needed was boy clothes AFTER the birth if it ended up being a boy. Here is my list, which will be crossed off as things get finished: Buy the big stuff (crib, carseat, stroller, two bouncers), buy a BIGGER CAR, paint the room, make/buy bedding, sew 36 diapers, wash clothes, buy/borrow boy clothes if Baby B ends up being a boy, install both infant seats, paint name letters, rearrange nursery ( I don't know how we are going to fit two cribs), not go crazy, 

Best Moment this week: Getting word that we got in with the Dr that our birth center recommended. He is one of the only OBs where we live who is willing to do vaginal breech births, and he is known for being super natural/twin/breech friendly. I also was able to borrow a doppler from Cadence's photographer, and will have it for the rest of the pregnancy. It was wonderful to be able to use it and hear both little heartbeats. I love listening to them so much I could live with the thing on my belly. The babies don't especially love it, and kick at it every time I use it. I am planning to take some video of me checking heartbeats soon and will post it.

Looking Forward To: Seeing our little ones on Tuesday!! Seriously, it is like waiting for Christmas for me. I am still nervous about them both being healthy and about the whole "I really want to natural delivery" discussion we will have with the doctor. I can't wait to find out if they really are both girls so I can start planning, painting and shopping!

Picture(s) for this week: -

Week 22

A Decade and Counting

Our big old dog is 10 years old today.

I can't believe it has been that long (minus two months) since I picked up this wonderful furry bundle as my first guide dog puppy.

Yes, I know this one is crooked. It happens when you scan pictures. This is me and a fellow puppy raiser. I got Patriot and she got his sister Prudy.

I have two dogs to thank for this boy:

Flower - His mom

Klondike - His dad

 Snuggled on the seat for his first car ride

He often slept by his food bowl, seeming to be pleading for more food....story of his life! 

Such a handsome little guide dog puppy 

His spot in my parents house growing up. The little kitten laying by him is still his friend to this day. They grew up together and truly loved each other. 

His collection of toys

I think this was the night Patriot got back from being dropped from the guide dog training program 

 Brushing. The pile of hair by my leg is probably just from that one side

This was when I got home from working for 3 months in Vermont. I missed my boy SO much! 

Patriot and Oscar (the kitten in the previous picture) 

Swimming in the river stream to celebrate a birthday 

I love this dog! 

  

  

Still such a silly boy! 

He looks so much like his dad! Don't you think?

 One of his most favorite spots. The back of the car.

Our two boys!

Happy Birthday Patriot!! We didn't do much today, but he got some extra food and a heartguard pill (he thinks they are treats). I love you old man. I hope you are around for a couple more years because I can't imagine life without you.