Belly Pictures !!!

We have been getting a ton of requests for bare belly pictures. Yesterday I measured my belly a woppin' 48 inches! Holy Cow, just so everybody knows from the floor to my shoulder also measures 47 inches ! I am almost as big around as I am tall. HEHEHE

That just cracks me up, I never thought I could be that big and the babies STILL aren't here. Hopefully next week though, my goal is to have them here by 08/28/08

Doesn't that have a nice ring to it? Honestly at this point anyday soon sounds good to me. The sooner the better.



About the pictures, please remember that I am only 4' 10" and have no where for the babies to go - please excuse the gross stretch marks. I tried everything I could to make them as minimal as I could.

Here we go....

This one makes me look funny.

or maybe I am just funny looking anyways, that sounds more like it!

I actually think this makes me look small

if that's possible

I look a bit bigger with my shirt down

hmmmmm

All I can say is

YIKES

Well that's my belly, goodness I can only imagine how big I'll be once I deliver - I should be gaining more weight and inches everyday!!!

Oh Please Let These Babies Come Soon !!!!!

am I pathetic or what.

Goals for after the babies are here and life is somewhat regular

1. Take the kids to the Zoo

2. Take the kids to the Park

3. Take the new family on Hikes

( ok more like gentle walks in the higher altitudes )

4. Take the kids to The Living Aquarium

5. Survive the craziness of Todd's ( Mike's younger brother 10/10/08 ) wedding

6. Max's 3rd birthday party - smaller of course

7. Halloween

Max - NOT A CLUE

Michaella - NOT A CLUE

Abbey and Rusty - green hats and a green blanket

2 peas in a pod. or maybe something else

AHHHH the madness what are they ALL going to be?

Any ideas are very welcome

We go to the Dr.'s again on friday and we'll keep everybody updated. Please keep us in your prayers that the babies will come soon and healthy.

Thanks and loves to all

Making Negotiations with the Doctor !!!

Well we went to the Doctors yesterday

I gained 5 pounds in 5 days - HOLY COW !!!!!
I am dilated to 1cm - Means absolutly NOTHING considering this is my
3rd pregnancy and I am pregnant with twins.
I had my NST ( Non - Stress Test ) they monitor the babies heart beats
to make sure they increase with movement and contractions,
as well as monitor the amniotic fluids at LDS Hospital.
They both passed with flying colors, but Rusty is very stubborn
already. It took us for ever to get the monitor on him, then he'd
move, and we had to start all over. Mike ended up holding the
monitor on him the whole time while I was holding my belly so he
couldn't move.

BIG SHOCK !!!!!!!!
THE BABIES ARE BOTH HEAD DOWN !!!!!! We thought that was
pretty much impossible at this point.

Thank goodness they both are vertex ( head down ) that opens so many more doors for us, I may not have to have a c-section. But they can still move at this point. It really explaines the painful movements I've had lately.

We had our NST done at the Maternal- Fetal Medicine office at LDS. You walk into a big rooom with chairs set up as if you were going to be donating blood. They dump about a half of a tube of gooey K-Y like transmitting jelly on your massive belly, do a limited ultrasound ( to find the positions of the babies and the hearts ) strap on the fetal heart monitors. One for each baby and another one to monitor contractions. Then you sit very uncomfortably while they take an ECG (Electrocardiogram ) of the babies hearts. BUT ALAS they have to have both babies monitoring at the same time for a full 20 minutes. Yeah like that's really going to happen. The appointment was scheduled for only 30 minutes we were there a full hour trying to keep both babies still and on the monitor. Imagine this : Little me ( A turtle with the head on backwards) sitting in this huge chair I could barely get into, knees raised to the height of my chest slightly bent Mike holding one monitor, the nurse holding the other and me holding my belly for 20 minutes to keep both babies still yet awake and responsive. Sound fun HUH!!! Actually it was nice to see the heart beats and contractions. During this 1 hour I had 3 real contractions and a few Braxton - Hicks (practice contractions).

The reason for these tests:
To make sure the babies are getting enough oxygen, they aren't stressing when they move and during contractions. Also like I mentioned above to monitor the amniotic fluid ( the fluid that surrounds the babies) if there isn't enough fluid it causes strain in the umbillical cord, which is the only source of nutrients as well as oxygen to the baby. BIG PROBLEM !!!

That sounds like I'm writting a paper for a mid-term medical class. hehehe Sorry.

NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN :
Since the stress test results were good. I will be having those weekly, as well as my regular poke and prod Dr. appointments. The Dr. said he would like me to go until 37 weeks that puts us into September. NOT A CHANCE ! I asked if I could bargain one to one and a half weeks. That would mean an August baby ( hoping the last day being August 28, 2008, I think it has a ring to it.) He said he can't induce at 36 weeks, BUT at 36 weeks I can take things into my own hands, and for those of you who've had babies you know there is really only one way to induce pregnancy. And for those who don't know.... It's the reason I'm pregnant in the first place.
I'll make sure to take some pictures on our next appointment.

VERY CUTE MAX MOMENT
The other day I was having a glass of chocolate milk. Of course Max and Michaella wanted a drink, I didn't want to share but I knew I had to. To be a good example UGH that's the unfortunate part of being a mom. So I said it was Rusty and Abbey's drink and they are sharing, so we need to remember to share with them when they come. They both took a small drink. Max came up to me lifted up my shirt gave my belly a hug and a kiss on each side ( one for each baby) and said " Thank you Ruddy / Babby " and walked away as if it were nothing. Michaella came up to me and tried to do the same. Doesn't that just about make you cry. So sweet, precious, and darn near the cutest thing they've done in a long time.
It's those moments you couldn't pay me enough to change my life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM !!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, today is my Mom's BIG day ! At the beginning of the year once I realized that it was a BIG birthday for her this year, I started thinking about what kind of party we were going to throw for her. I wanted to do a big open house with lots of friends, and people that she hasn't seen in years as well as people she saw yesterday. Then we found out I was pregnant and it wasn't a big deal because the "baby" wouldn't be due until September. So on with the Party plans. YEAH party!!! I thought we'd have a BIG disneyland themed party - that sounds dumb, but I'd do it in a more adult way. And for her big gift we ( the whole ) family would be going to disneyland in December for Christmas celebration and BIG party celebration. Doesn't that sound fun - Oh the biggest part of the deal is at that point my mom had NEVER been to disneyland, so it would be perfect. I called my Dad and Mark (my Bro.) to let them in on my BRILLIANT plan to hear them say I love that Idea but mom is going to Disneyland with some gals from work in April (at this time it was march). WAA BAM that was shot down faster than I ever could imagined. I was SO bumbed it was the perfect idea.

So I thought I'd keep plugin' along on the idea's. Before I knew it, it was April 22nd my mom was in Disneyland having the greatest time of her life and we were sitting in the Ultrasonographer's office waiting to see the Flavor of THE BABY ( thinking there was not a chance in the world there would be more than one ) we come out beyond dumb founded.

If you want to hear the ultrasound story just leave me a comment, I don't
remember if I've written that before.

So knowing that I'd be on bedrest as of July 1 and the babies might not even make it to Aug. 11, the BIG party idea was completely squashed. I'm releaved to know my mom doesn't care about her b-day, she always said it's just another day, but who can HONESTLY say I don't want someone to make a big deal about me and truely see who cares about me and see those whose lives I've touched in one way or another. I know it's embarrassing to have EVERYTHING all about you, but what fun would it be to see and reconnect with those you haven't seen in like 15 years.

So enough about birthday ideas because today is the day and to make it a little bit more special for Birthday cake we had triple berry cheesecake rather than plane old birthday cake.
Or as I said a sophisticated cake for a sophisticated birthday!!!

Baby Update ~
I'm still the barn rather than the cow. We have a non-stress test scheduled for Friday 15th and contuing contractions everynight, but nothing that lasts very long or would require us to go to the hospital. It's got to be somewhat close though, I'm not sure how much more my skin can stretch before exploding like an overblown balloon.


Notice I never said my mom's age, but I'm sure you can make a guess considering it's a MASSIVE DAY in my opinion.

Latest Baby News

PREVIOUS BLOG ADDITION !!!!!!!!!!

Ok so Dan and Kim Black and their son Carter were there as well as Matt and Brooke Nelson and Blake their son were there. And for some reason my computer and camera aren't talking and I can't get those pictures. Sorry Guys

Baby news update~

We went to the Dr.'s yesterday ( Friday ). The Doctor said that the babies are still transverse ( sideways ) I was sure they would check to see if I was dialating and effacing. Nope they didn't they said they don't do that until I am 35 weeks. Funny number huh! Considering that he ( my Dr. ) said he hopes I go until 35 weeks. 35 will be August 17th, when my next appointment is. I have scheduled a non-stress test as well as a regular appointment.

Funny enough as I am writing this i have had a few contractions. I don't think I am beginning the first stage of labor, I am hoping that it was just dinner. We had Cafe Rio tonight - we haven't had that in over at least a year. I have no idea what is to come. The somewhat comforting part is normal gestation for twins is between 33 - 35 weeks. Today I am officially 33 weeks.

The Dr.'s say once I am having contractions consistantly every 7 min. that's my que to go to the hospital, they'll do another ultrasound in the hospital and we'll go from there.

I have had the relization that the babies will wind up in the NICU anywhere from a few minutes to days. I have no idea what to expect on that part. The good thing is that I have a cousin that had a baby in the LDS hospital NICU for 3 months so she knows everybody and knows the reigns, she said if there are any conserns or questions that she'll help us by being the tuff guy that poss. mike and I won't be able to be.

Well that's enough of this novel as Mike put it, but yet again thanks again for "listening" to me pour out my fears and worries.

Only A Month Late !!!

Well on June 28th, we had a party with some of the " old gang " from Bountiful High. It was nice to see everybody again. There were some that hadn't seen each other in over 5 years and others it had only been a few weeks. Here are some pictures from the night.

Dave Carlson and Ryan Bott

Everybody

Dan and Caarter Black, Jordan and Allison MittonRyan Bott, Matt Nelson and misc. kids

The gang that was able to come.

Brian and Shelley White

Mike, Kim, Max and Michaella Wynder and the twins

Jordan and Allison Mitton

Gary and Danea Lilyquist

and for the life of me I can't remember their sons name

I'M SO SORRY !!!!

The others who were there were Matt and Sarah Nelson and their two cute little blonde haired girls, but they snuck out before we were able to get their pictures.

Well there are the pictures, at least the decent ones. Hope you were able to enjoy. We really want to do this again sometime soon. Maybe next summer and we can get more people there.

Congrats Todd and Missy !!!!!

YEAH , It's official Todd proposed to Missy on Sat.
We are really excited for them and really really like Missy. She is really down to earth, nice, loves our kids, and more than anything she has really made Todd happy and she's the type of person I would be friends with wheather we were related or not. I know that sounds stupid and sob storyish but it's the truth.

Bed rest is going well, we went to the Dr.'s last Friday.
GOOD NEWS!!!

Rusty is still on the top, with his head on my left side and his feet on my right side. He now weigh's ....... 3lbs. 4 oz. YEAH !!! what a relief that he's over 3 lbs. I'm so glad!!! We've hit another milestone.

Abbey is on the bottom with her head on my right side and her feet to the left. She weigh's ..... 3lbs. 14 oz. YEAH !!!

It's normal that they are different sizes, we just hope that they really start to put on the pounds now. It's confirmed now that I will be having a C- section, I'm still nervous but only because I don't know what to expect from the unknown.

I am measuring 41 cm which is good. I am very interested on exactly how big I will be getting with at least 1 month to go. I already feel like a beached whale, It will be funny to see how big I am going to get.

From the Previous blog update .......
The beginning of June my OBGYN died. He was m uch more than just Doctor to Mike and I. He was like a family friend, his receptionist Megan is one of my very favorite people. I really miss them. I am currently seeing Dr. Reiser's partner who had taken over Dr. Reiser's current patients. I like Dr. langeland, I really do but he's not Dr. Reiser, it's not the same. I really miss the feel of the office. The friendliness, warmth and love that I felt when I walked into the office. PLEASE don't get me wrong the office is still a great office, Dr. Langeland is a very good Dr. he jusst isn't Dr. Reiser. If I was pregnant with only one baby maybe I wouldn't be having such a hard time, but I was only able to have a total of two appointments with Dr. reiser knowing that we were having twins. I'm not sure what I am going to do after my 6 week post-partum check up. I need to find a new Dr. I'm not going to be able to see Dr. Langeland - the only reason being ... It's just not the same.
If anybody has any advice please let me know. I have no idea what to do.
Sorry that was probably to much for some of you, but that was really the first time i have put my feelings into words and really got them out. Megan if your reading this I love you and don't feel bad about crying, because i'm doing it to.

On a Happier Note
We are going to be adding a TON of pictures to our blog this weekend as well to our face books. Just so everybody knows, we have a lot more pictures on our facebook accounts just because it's easier to post more pictures than we can on our blog.

Thanks to everybody for "listening" to my release heart-ache, pain and pleasures.

It's about time !!!

Well everybody it's been way to long since my last entry. I'm VERY sorry about that. We've had some action happen around here. For now I'll just give a brief explanation and later I'll go into greater detail and post pictures. On June 28th we had a get together for some of "the old gang" as Mike put's it. It was nice to see everybody again. For some it had been more than 5 years and for others only a month or two. On July 1st I began bedrest. To be totally honest until just last week I hadn't been doing a very good job at it. Our wonderful ward has taken on such a role to help me out. Every morning Monday thru Friday ( well the days my mom doesn't work) somebody shows up at the house at 9am to take the kids until about oneish. They help me get the kids into bed for naps, and again someone is here at 3 and takes the kids until 6, when Mike gets home. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays somebody brings dinner and we have another shift start from 6-8!
Until this week I have been trying to get the clothes washed, folded and put away for The babies as well as All the other laundry.
Now I think I have completly over done it. Way over done it. I'm REALLY felling it now. I can't even get out of bed by myself.

So Baby update ~
To make things even better my OBGYN died at the beginnign of june - That's a whole story on it's own. For another time and day.
I am 30.5 weeks along and measuring ... well at the last appointment on Last Monday the 7th I was measuring 36cm. So the babies are getting much bigger. Everybody says that i look just as big as I did the day I delivered Max and Michaella. It will be interesting to see how big i really get.
So this past Saturday, I was really craving Chinese food and Mike being the best husband in the world (and not really wanting chinese food AT ALL!) went and picked up the chinese take-out.
BAD IDEA on my part. Sunday am at 4 i woke up with the worst food poisoning I've ever had. And Mike (being awake for the 4th time already taking care of max) was so nice to clean up after me being sick, give me a wonderful back rub to try to calm the muscle spasms - that were turning into contractions- and gave me and of course the babies such a wonderful blessing. And made sure i was asleep before trying to fall asleep himself. Isn't he just the best?
Sunday came and went. The kids were in best i finally had decided that I wasn't going to die and we got ready for bed. Sunday night mike was up all night with the samething i had. THank goodness the kids had decided to be stubborn and not eat the chinese! So mike was sick and there was no way that i could help or take care of him, except to measly call into work and leave a message that he wouldn't be in monday. What a way to repay huh!
Finally monday is gone and mike is better and back at work, the kids went to "work" and are now napping. P.S. when I started bedrest mike changed his schedule around so go to work later so we explained to Max and Michaella that they now are going to work as well ( they had been playing work for sometime now so it was perfect.) so when somebody comes to get them we give hugs and kisses and give them a "job " for work like Max is to make sure Michaella doesn't get into trouble. and Michaella's is to make sure Max gets enouugh to drink. So Max takes care of Michaella and Michaella will get her and Max's sippy cups and they have drinks every so often.
It's so cute how they make sure to take care of each other.

Anywhoo, that's a quick up date ... Of cousrse we had 4 th of july parties, swimming, more ultrasounds, Dr. Appts. and lots of other things to come later.

The biggest news is we FINALLY have our computers and internet working so now I will be able to be a better Blogger.

Sorry again for sucha long break!