26 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

I am a little late with this post.  Trying to get my hands on a decent camera is difficult.  My camera I can't get to work and the only other decent camera is Steve's phone which he has most of the time. I ended up taking pictures with Cannon's ipod which takes really grainy pics.  Oh well, could be worse!  Anyways we have had a busy summer week.
Monday: We went to Stoney Creek with Skye and her kids and Goldie and her kids.  It was a lot of fun and the kids loved playing in the sand and cooling off in the lake.  I should have got in the water but talked myself out of it.  I just enjoyed watching the kids even though it was about 100 degrees + humidity, and no breeze. 
Tuesday: Karlee and Stella finished up swimming lessons. I took them to Warren Community Center this year and they loved it.  The teachers are awesome and make learning to swim lots of fun.  They were both able to advance to the next level. 
Wednesday:  Cannon had basketball, which he absolutely loves.  This boy eats and sleeps basketball.  He doesn't really watch anything on T.V. unless its old NBA games or highlights. Then goes outside and shoots hoops.  He walks around the house jumping and air shooting trying to perfect his technique.  Then wonders why his ankles hurt?!?! And my sweet friend Shauna had her baby boy and my long lost sister Gerty had a baby girl too.  So excited to have all these babies around!
Thursday:  Steve called early in the morning and asked if we wanted to go to Lansing with him. He had already talked to my doctor and got permission to reschedule my appointment. So we all decided to go. He was chosen to give a lecture to all the 1st yr residents in the state of Michigan on c-sections.  He didn't need to stay for the whole day so we decided to tag along and do a little site seeing.  We went to the MSU Children's Garden and then to the State Building.  After that we wandered around the Farmer's Market.  Stopped and go ice cream and then headed home.  It was a pretty fun day!  It was nice to get to see another part of Michigan.  

 State Capital Building

 

(Laying on the floor looking up)                                                      (at the top looking down)

 

MSU Children's Garden



 

Friday:  Stella had a swim birthday party so I took the kids to Jensen's had they had a blast swimming the afternoon away. That evening I took the Olson's to the airport.  They went to Utah for a month.  Its going to be a LONG month for us in Michigan.  I just plan on keeping myself busy!
Saturday:  Steve had to work so I took the kids up to the hospital and we hung out with him for a couple hours.  We played around with the ultrasound machine.  Steve was getting so frustrated because the boys wouldn't hold still long enough that he could get good pictures of there head.  They kept kicking and punching each other.  It was seriously like a MMA match.  I could tell he was a little proud of that!  LOL.  But in the end he estimated the boys weighing in a little over 2 lbs.

26 Weeks
The babies lungs and brain are continuing to develop.  The babies can detect light and dark through the optic nerve.  They can also hear more than my rumbling tummy.  They can hear outside noises. The babies nostrils are open and ready to work.  The lungs will inhale and exhale amniotic fluid in preparation for breathing air.

Babies are the size of:cucumbers (14 inches) and weigh about 2 lbs each.

How far along? 26 Weeks

Weight gain?  Had to cancel my Dr Appt so I could go to Lansing with hubby, but I should know Thursday at my next appt!  LOL.

Workouts? Notta

Symptoms?  More cramps and a little pressure when standing for long periods of time.  Not sure how my body is handling growing and gaining weight so fast.  At the end of the day my pelvic bones are pretty sore!  Starting to get more tired during the day also.  My energy spurt is on its way out!

Stretch Marks?  None that I can see yet.  But my belly looks crazy with all the blue veins making a map.  My kids think they should trace the veins.  So far I've had a little bit of itching, but the coconut oil really helps relieve the need to scratch.

Sleep?  With my ligament pain and pelvic pain I haven't been sleeping so good.  I think if I took a Tylenol or ibuprofen before bed I could sleep better, but I'm trying not to take medicine besides my prenatals.

Movement?  LOTS of movement.  Pretty sure they are doing some MMA in my belly!

Gender?  Still boys...Steve has to check every time we do an ultrasound just to make sure.  Maybe he can't believe he is really getting TWO BOYS.

What I miss?  Ahhh!  Where to start?  I miss sitting comfortably, having my clothes fit right, laying on my stomach at night, walking without pain, you know, the usual!  Still enjoying this pregnancy. Especially because it is so much different than my other three.  I should make another paragraph title which states: What I WON'T miss:  people looking at my and saying or thinking...WOW, she's gonna POP anytime!

Food aversions?  None

Food cravings?  back to my high protein and fiber pancakes.  They are delicious.  Oh and I really like the Meijers brand Vanilla ice cream. 

Labor signs?  nothing crazy, just a few cramps here and there. 

Belly Button in or out?  Finally made its way out.  Very had an outie before!

Things  I look forward to this week
1.  My next Dr. Appt on Thursday
2.  Watching Cannon play basketball and playing outside with the kids
3.  Having Steve home and AWAKE on Sunday
4.  The HOT weather has left and this next week is only suppose to be a high of 82. NICE!

25 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

These last two weeks have been crazy with Valarie in the hospital and then with the funeral so I didn't get a chance to take my 24 week photo.  I decided to just combine 24 & 25 Weeks.

24 Weeks
The babies senses are developing.  They should probably be able to sense what is upside down or right side up.  The respiratory system is rapidly growing in preparation for breathing, moving amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs.  But for now the babies are still getting oxygen through there placenta's.  This week the babies are viable.  They can potentially survive outside the womb. (hopefully this won't happen for a LONG time) The babies eyelids are still shut, but the optic bits beneath are about ready to see the world.  The retina is on its way to being fully developed, but the iris hasn't turned that special hue yet.  That won't happen until after the babies are born.

25 Weeks
The babies body parts are continuing to become more proportional to each other.  Baby fat is also continuing to fill in the babies wrinkled skin for a smoother look and more hair is growing, developing texture and color.  The babies are really growing quick now. (I'm blaming this on my weight gain, HA!) Tiny capillaries below her skin give her a soft pink glow.  The babies cerebral cortex is coming into its own.  Activites are still being orchestrated by brain areas that developed earlier, but before long the cerebral cortx will help with more complex actions like thinking, feeling and planning. (like being born)

Babies are the size of: rutabagas (13.5 inches each) and weigh 1.5 lbs.

How far along? 25 weeks

Weight gain?  Not sure, had to cancel my dr appt for the funeral.  We will know for sure at 26 weeks.

Workouts?  Nothing but sanding, painting and cleaning......which in my mind, HAS to count!

Symptoms?  Achy feet after standing all day and a few cramps here and there.

Stretch Marks?  None yet!  Hoping coconut oil will cure me of that.

Sleep?  Actually pretty good, but I can tell all this energy I was having is starting to disappear.  Getting more sleepy.

Movement?  LOTS of kicking.....even up higher in my ribs and on my left side.  Which hasn't been the case. Most of the movement has been on the right.

Genders?  boy...boy...

What I miss?  fitting into my clothes, bending over to pick things up, standing up easily and sqeezing through tight places (not happening)

Food aversions?  None

Food cravings?  Milk and cereal.

Labor signs?  a few cramps here and there.....nothing serious, but my husband freaks out anytime I hold my belly.  "do we need to go to the hospital? are you okay?  how bad are they?  is it constant?"  You would think he's never been through this before.  LOL.

Belly button in or out?  half and half....its not all the way out, yet! I'll give it a week or two!

Things I look forward to this week
1.  Playing with the Olson's until they leave for the summer.
2.  Dr's appointment on Thursday
3.  Enjoying Sunday with Steve home
4.  Hoping my friend Shauna has her baby soon!

Stella's turns 4

On July 8th we celebrated Maddilyn Stella turning 4.  She was so excited to finally turn 4.  She is such a sweet, intense and funny girl.  I sat down and asked her some of her favorite things.

How old are you now?   5 (jumping and laughing) no I mean 4.....wait I decided 6.

Favorite color? Pink

Best Friend? Aliza

Favorite game to play? Sofia the First

Favorite show to watch? Sofia the First

Favorite food?  Chocolate

Favorite drink? watermelon

Favorite Song? I am a Child of God

What time do you go to bed? fourty

What time do you wake up? 49 years.

How old is dad? 7

How old is mom? 10

What is daddy's job?  Fixes the wall at the hospital

What does mommy have in her tummy? Babies.....boy....boy.

What are we going to name the babies? Mickey Mouse and Nick Jr.

One thing I love about Stella is she adds "ily' to her words.  Such as hungerily, softily, angerily, smoothily.  She starts preschool at Dooley this September with her best friend.  She is excited to ride the bus and have Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Jarocki for teachers (just like Karlee and Nixon).

                                                (1st bath, with crazy, thick, curly hair)

                                                         (crazy, thick, wavy hair at 4)

 

Happy Birthday my sweet Stella!

DIY Kids Dressers

As my hubby said "They look homeade!"  Not sure exactly what he meant by that.  I don't care though.  I think they turned out awesome.  I started these on Wednesday and finished all three by Saturday.  Pretty good for a pregnant lady!  LOL.

Cannon's Dresser (free from Dr. Champine)

Karlee's Dresser (free from Burnette's) my favorite

Stella's Dresser (free from my Grandma Beck) color is a coral color, but lighting makes it look really pink.  Love all of the different knobs.  Little Miss Unmatched!

I really love how these turned out!  It makes me smile everytime I walk in there room's. 
Now on to another DIY project!

Valarie Martin

My dear sweet friend and neighbor passed away Sunday night.  She was such a sweet lady. She had struggled with heart problems most of her life.  Last year in November she had major heart surgery which they placed an LVAD (left ventricular assisting device) in her chest.  She was constantly hooked up to batteries or plugged into a wall so her heart would beat properly.  This was just suppose to be a stepping stone to getting a new heart.  She did everything in preparation to get on the list.  Finally in February 2013 they gave her a pager, put her on Status B and told her to never travel more than an hour away!  Things were really looking up!  She was feeling pretty good, healthy and more active. 

Cannon had remembered her birthday was July 14th and she was going to turn 41.  We wrote it on the calendar and talked about little things we could do.  He absolutely adored her.  She would always cook him fried chicken (his favorite), chicken noodle soup, ham and potato soup, pork chops, and spaghetti.  She would sit outside in the driveway and Cannon would go over and talk to her about everything.  He would tell her about Idaho, basketball, animals.......you name it.  Then he would come home and shake his head......."I can't believe how nice she is, they are just so nice....I can't believe it.  Mom, can you believe it, they are SO extremely nice."  I knew he thought the world of her for just spending so many hours talking with him.

Tuesday morning I got a call from Valarie telling me she was in the hospital.  She didn't think it was anything serious.  She was having problems with her stomach so she decided to go get it checked out.  I was teasing her "Why am I just finding out now? You've been in the hospital since Friday"  She was laughing and saying "I know, I know." 
I decided the best way to help out was to stay home so I could watch Deborah.  Carolyn and Kenya were driving back and forth, taking turns staying with her in the hospital.  They had found a leaky valve in her heart and had to take her to surgery to fix it.  The surgery took longer than anticipated because her LVAD was starting to adhere to her chest cavity.  Her blood pressure dropped dramatically and they were worried about brain damage at that point.  She can out of surgery but never fully recovered.  From this point on she just had complication after complication.  On Sunday morning I texted Carolyn and she said she was holding her own.  I forgot my phone at home and went to church.  As soon as I got back I grabbed my phone and saw a text from Carolyn saying she wasn't going to make it.  I immediately called Carolyn back.  She was on her way to the hospital because they were calling family and friends in.  Her tiny body couldn't take anymore.
I jumped in the car and raced down to the hospital.  It was so hard to see her hooked up to all those machines.  It didn't look anything like my sweet friend.  She was bruised and swollen to the point I couldn't recognize her. It was so hard to see her like this. To think of little Deborah who was only nine.  Who would never have her mom to tuck her in at night or be there when she had children of her own.  My only solace was to know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us.  Valarie had done her work here on earth and now Heavenly Father needed her to help in Heaven.  I know Valarie is in Heaven watching down on Deborah and her family. 
This whole experience has made me cherish each and every moment with those who matter most in my life.  Its not about how big your house is, what kind of car you drive or how much money you have.  Its about kissing my kids goodnight and tucking them into bed, hugs and kisses, watching them grow up and have children of there own.  Its about loving each moment while we are on this earth.  I am so grateful for the knowledge, I can live with my family again.  To be in Heaven with my husband, children, parents, brothers and sisters. I know I will see Valarie again and be able to give her a hug and tell her how much I've missed our chats.
But today is Stella's 4th Birthday so I am going to go out and make the best of this sad day. We are going to party and make new memories we can always remember. I love you Valarie and you will be truly missed but I know you wouldn't want us to sit around and sulk.  Until I see you again....as Valarie likes to say "Have a Blessed Day"!

23 Weeks Pregnant with TwInS

These weeks are just flying by!  I don't know if it is because it is summer and I have been busy keeping the kids entertained or what.  It has been fun being with the kids during summer and I am loving every minute of it!  Cannon is in basketball and doing awesome.  He plays basketball every spare minute he has.  Then begs his dad to play with him as soon as his dad pulls in the driveway.  Karlee and Stella are both in swimming lessons.  They love learning to swim and spending time in the water.  Karlee had her end of the year piano recital and she did awesome!  She has the best piano teacher who makes piano so exciting for her! 

23 Weeks:
Now, on to the babies!  The babies are really active right now.  Sometimes we can even see my belly move on the surface.  The bones in the ears have hardened and they can hear my voice.  At this point each amniotic sac contains about a pint of fluid that is refreshed every 3 or 4 hours. This keeps the babies warm and it protects them from infections and provides buoyancy so they can move around without having to worry about gravity.  No wonder I am so thirsty all the time!

 

 

Sunday Steve was on call so he talked me into bringing the kids up to the hospital to have dinner with him and he would do an ultrasound.  The kids love every chance they get to see the babies.  They thought it was funny to see one of the boys punching the other boy.  Ahh!  They are already fighting. LOL.

 



Babies are the size of: two large mango's (11.5 inches) and weigh about 1.1 lb each.

How far along? 23 weeks

Weight gain? Not sure exactly but will find out next Thursday at my Dr's Appt.

Workouts?  Counting all of the cleaning and nesting I'm doing as workouts....it counts right?

Symptoms?  The pressure is gone for the most part.  My feet are starting to ache and my back is a little sore. Other than that I feel pretty lucky to be feeling this good at this point!

Stretch Marks?  Nothing yet.

Sleep?  If I can keep my husband from snoring I usually sleep pretty good. 

Movement?  Lots of kicking......and punching!

Genders?  Both still boys. 

What I miss?  Squeezing through tight places!  I forget I'm pregnant and I'll try to squeeze between my car and the garbage can.  Then when I look down I realize I have just rubbed all the dirt off the car.  Or when I'm trying to wash counters, I have to stand on my tippy toes so my belly can rest on the counter while I wash the other side!

Food Aversions?  Nothing really

Food Cravings?  Greek Yogurt Pancakes with raspberry jam and blueberries!  They are delicious!

Labor signs?  Nothing, YEAH!

Belly button IN or OUT?  In but not sure how much longer.

Things I look forward to this week?

1.  Basketball and swimming lessons with my kids
2.  Spending a whole day with my hubby on Thursday!
3.  Having a 4th of July party with my friends and lighting fireworks.
4.  DIY projects.  Refinishing a dresser we got for free for Cannon and then refinishing the dresser which was in his room, for Karlee's room.  Got a new-to-us crib and picked up some gel stain to fill in the scuff marks.  I love refinishing furniture!  Its so exciting!

22 Weeks Pregnant with TwiNs

This week for the babies has been very eventful.  Taste buds are forming and nerve endings are developed enough for the babies to experience the sensation of touch!  The arms and legs have reached their final proportion. Some moves they are able to perform are: kicking, flexing, clasping hands and sucking thumb.
I had a crazy experience the other day at the gas station.  Some crazy lady started rubbing my belly and started commenting on my belly.  Then she asked if I knew what I was having!  I happily replied "Yes, twin boys!"  Then she said "I always wanted to have twin boys, you lucky TWIT." as she ran out the door..... Yes, she called me a twit!  I was kind of shocked, but rolled my eyes.....whatever crazy lady!

22 Weeks (camera is still not working...resorted to using my sons ipod)

 

The babies are the size of spaghetti squash (11 inches) and now weigh about 1 lb.  Yeah they have hit the 1 lb mark!

 

How far along? 22 Weeks

 

Weight gain?  23 lbs.  Not sure where its all going. Luckily my regular pants and skirts still fit. 

 

Workouts?  Still trying to use that extra energy for all the cleaning.  Which usually requires enough lifting, bending, squatting and a few beads of sweat.

 

Symptoms?  This week I have had quite a bit of pressure.  Just a few cramps.  I told Steve and he didn't seem too concerned since I was not having any other symptoms.  Sore feet.  That's about it!

 

Stretch Marks?  Nope...I can feel my skin getting tighter and tighter though.

 

Sleep?  On and off.  If I rest at all during the day, I will be awake during the night.

 

Movement?  I'm not exactly sure how to describe it.  They movement reminds me of Karate Kid.  Wax on, wax off!

 

Genders?  BOYS!

 

What I miss?  The usual. I'm just enjoying being pregnant. 

 

Food Cravings?  Still these Greek Yogurt Pancakes with Raspberry jam, topped with a couple handfuls of blueberries!  So delicious and healthy too!

 

Food Aversions?  Pretty much can talk myself into eating anything at this stage.

 

Labor signs?  None

 

Belly button IN or OUT?  IN still!

 

Things I look forward to this week?



1.  Basketball and Swimming lessons with my kids
2.  Going to Parker's sealing with Steve
3.  A relaxing Sunday with Steve home
4.  Getting one of the cribs put together so I can start working on the nursery ( I hope)
5.  Summer vacation with my kids home.

21 Weeks Pregnant with TwiNs

I can't believe I am more than half way through this pregnancy!  It has gone by so fast, and I mean really fast.  I am excited and really nervous for these two boys to arrive.  I don't think it has really sunk in yet.  Except for the part every week on Sunday where I look down and think "now I know my belly wasn't this big last week."  Its just growing SO SO fast.  But I really do love it.  I complained so much about my last pregnancies even though they were pretty easy, I promised myself I would cherish every moment of this pregnancy no matter how hard it got or how sick I felt.  So many women would love for the opportunity to be pregnant and would do anything for it.  So my lesson is learned....love every minute of the opportunity our Heavenly Father gave me!

This week the babies digestive system has developed enough that they are beginning to swallow amniotic fluid and absorb small amounts of sugar.  Most of the nutrients are still delivered through the placenta. Heart beats can now be heard on a simple stethoscope!

21 weeks (kids had to take photo and my camera is doing crazy things)

 

Babies are about the size: of a banana (10.5 inches and weigh 12.7 oz).  Crazy to think just one of the babies has grown about 4 inches in ONE week. Times two.... they have grown EIGHT inches. WOW! No wonder I can literally watch my belly grow...LOL

 

 

How far along?  21 weeks

 

Weight gain?  Have my Dr's appt next week.....so we will see!

 

Workouts?  Lots of cleaning.  I think nesting has settled in early for me.  I'm constantly cleaning, maybe its because I know in the near future I won't be able to move as much!

 

Symptoms?  Not a lot. A few cramps here and there.  Feet still sore after standing for a long period of time. 

 

Stretch Marks?  Not yet....but my belly is starting to itch more.  Still using coconut oil in hopes I can keep those stretch marks from coming!

 

Sleep?  Ok!  My sides are getting sore and by the morning I am more than ready to get out of bed to give them a break.

 

Movement?  More and more everyday. Instead of just feeling movement I am starting to recognize feet kicks in different spots from different babies (if that makes sense)  Not sure which baby they are coming from!

 

Genders?  Still boys as far as we can tell!

 

What I miss?  Running, this weather is making my crave to go out running!  Being independent.  I am used to doing things on my own and each week I am asking for more and more help!

 

Food cravings?  This week every morning I have wanted my Greek Yogurt Pancakes.  So good for you and lots of protein.  Fruit, soda pop and in the evenings a bowl of cereal!

 

Food Aversions?  French fries and the smell of the deep fat fryer my husband so dearly loves. 

 

Labor signs?  Nothing really. 

 

Belly Button In or Out? IN

Things I look forward to this week?
1.  Basketball and swimming lessons for my kids
2.  Next Dr's Appt
3.  Fathers Day to celebrate and spoil my Hubby, my father and my father in law.  (I got the best of each)
4.  Trying a few recipes I found on Pintrest
5.  The gorgeous weather we are having. Not too hot, and Not too cold!

We had such a fun week with our family!  Lots of places we went and things we saw. 

Grandma Tammy, Kim, Sheridan, Sam and Coledon flew in on Monday night.

Tuesday: They watched my kids and I went to a Doctors appointment.  We had lunch at Culvers (Gullivers according to Papa Steve) and went grocery shopping, made dinner and spend the evening playing outside and chit-chatting.

Wednesday:  We took them down to Detroit to show them the "Hood" and we stopped by the Heidelberg Project.  It is just a weird street.  People decorate houses with all kids of crazy stuff and call it artistic. 

 

 

Then for dinner we made "Dinner and Dessert Crepes" and invited some good friends over (Khoury's) to have dinner with us.

 

 

Thursday:  Tammy and Kim helped Steve lay tile and grout.  He took a week off of work to spend time with family and ended up working.  Then we went to a movie "Now you See Me".  It was really good.  Then Kim fixed us Crockpot Cheese Tortellini soup.  It was soo yummy!

 

Friday:  My sweet friends Skye and Shauna threw me a baby shower for the twins.  It was so much fun and I have to say they spoiled me rotten.  I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.  Then we took our visitors out to Clarkston to eat at "Union Woodshop".  According to Kid Rock, this is his favorite BBQ pit.  They have THE BEST fried pickles.....that's all I want to eat when I go there!

 

Saturday: We did a little shopping at Partridge Creek and the kids played on the toys and the splash pad.  We then drove over to Metro park and watched the kids collect shells and build sand castles.

 

Sunday:  Went to church, seminary graduation and then headed to Sandusky Ohio to Great Wolfe Lodge.

 

Monday:  Played at the water park most of the day  It was so much fun.  The kids had a blast.

 

After the park we took Grandma Tammy out to dinner for her birthday.  She decided on "Joe's Crab Shack".  It was such a great day!

 

Tuesday:  We said our good-byes to all our "somebody's". And Steve took them to the airport.  Stella could never remember there names so she just called them, somebody who is 4, somebody who is her sister and just "somebody" for Kim.  It was pretty funny!  

 

We had such a great time it went by so fast.  It is so much fun to have visitors.  We will love and miss them very much. 

20 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

Talk about a crazy week!  We went to a baby shower for the twins and had lots of excitement this week with the family, but I'll get to that on the next post.  I slacked off this week doing this post because family was in town and we were BUSY!

 

This week the twins skin will become covered with a waxy-like substance call vernix which will protect skin from being scratched or chapped.  They are also starting to produce meconium which will accumulate in the bowels and eventually pass during delivery or in the first diaper change.

 

Babies are the size of: small cantaloupes (6.5 inches) and each weigh about 11 oz.

 

How Far Along?  20 weeks

 

Weight Gain?  15 lbs and I can tell the swelling of the limbs are starting to appear. Yikes!

 

Workouts?  None unless you count lots of cleaning, de-junking and trying to keep up with Grandma Tammy and Kim.  Walked around the stores a lot!

 

Symptoms?  Limbs are starting to swell and feet get sore after a period of standing.  Love having more energy in the morning but by afternoon, I'm exhausted!

 

Stretch Marks? Nope!  Still using lots of coconut oil. 

 

Sleep? Sleeping pretty good!  I have been staying up late hanging out with the family so by the time I get to bed, I sleep good!

 

Movement?  Stronger movements and more and more every week.

 

Genders?  TWO little boys

 

What I miss?  Getting in and out of the car easily.  On and off the couch without assistance.  Bending over to clean without grunting.  Sad, I know!  And still I miss wearing regular clothes.

 

Food Cravings?  Protein....you name it. Any type sounds good.  I have been eating lots of red meat, pork, cheese, Greek yogurt, peanut butter and eggs.  Its a challenge to get 135 grams of protein in my diet even with all of the cravings.

 

Food Aversions? I think all of these are gone.  Starting to eat a little bit of chicken and enjoy it!

 

Labor signs? None yet

 

Belly Button in or out?  IN and my flat spot is starting to disappear. LOL

 

Things I look forward to this week:

1.  Officially start summer vacation with my kids

2.  not having to get up early for seminary

3.  Going to Great Wolfe Lodge with Grandma Tammy, Kim, Sheridan, Sam and Coleden.

4.  Watching the kids spend time with cousins and Grandma