I'm still here...are you?

You know, I aspire to be a great blogger. I dream up amazing blog posts in my head that never quite make it onto the actual blog. However, I'm aspiring to be a great mommy and I'll be darned if that takes up the majority of my time. :)

Long story short, Braydon and Mckenzie are hilarious. Braydon squeals like a monkey and roars like a dinosaur. He breaks into fits of laughter when he's being tickled or when his uncle Jeremy is around. McKenzie has discovered when she makes faces people laugh. She kept the ladies in Relief Society entertained by making faces at them. Both are trying to crawl, McKenzie still rolling away and eating everything in sight. We're looking forward to Christmas as a family!

We made an offer on a house in Homedale, and we're playing the waiting game right now. Waiting for work to be done on the house and an appraisal to be done before everything can close. It's 4 bedrooms, 2 bath, and we're stoked it's still in our ward! It's a nice starter home and we're anxious to get everything done so we can move in. We'll also have room for visitors, so we can be social again, and my family can come visit! I sure miss them, and am excited for them to visit us in our neck of the woods. Andrew is still chugging away at work, and has a new position starting in January. It's been a long time coming, and it's going to come about at a perfect time! I'm so proud of all he's accomplished and everything he's acquired up to this point. He has been so patient and worked so hard. He is starting to go places and I'm grateful me and the kids get to be a part of the journey with him!

The child cannot wait

"Many things we need can wait. The child cannot. Now is the time his bones are formed, his mind developed. To him we cannot say tomorrow, his name is today."  
               — Gabriela Mistral

    I hate the days the babies are laying on the floor with their toys, while I am occupied with something totally separate from them; whether it be laundry, cleaning, or checking facebook/email, etc. This happens more often than it should, and today I decided something: NOTHING will interfere with the precious time I spend with my children, as long as it is something I can control. You know what? It already made a difference in just this one morning.
    Yesterday Braydon was constantly whimpering at me every time I put him down or left the room (most of the time it was to find food, I was starving yesterday!). It became exasperating by the end of the day, and I was worn out from trying to console him from the other room. I realized last night it was only because he wanted attention. Attention from his mommy: not grandma, not sister rolling into him (ever since discovering rolling, McKenzie occupies herself by rolling across the entire room), but his Mom. Someone to smile at him when he cooed, someone to cheer him on while he tried to crawl, someone to console him when he flopped over on his back instead of moving forward (it frustrates him so much!). McKenzie would coo at me from the floor, making sure I saw her progress as she rolled back and forth. If I talked to her she would roll to where I was, and smile because she made it. How many tiny moments have I missed out on as I was doing something else? There are things I have to do when they are awake, like move laundry, etc. But I can definitely include them! We fold laundry together: them sitting in bouncers/bumbo seat, and me on the floor talking to them, and playing peek-a-boo with Andrew's shirts. You know what? They LOVE it!

 

            Today's activity: read books in the recliner.

 We sat in the recliner with four books, and we read them all! Braydon and McKenzie love looking at the books, and McKenzie will look up at me while I read and just grin. Braydon will start cooing, almost as if he is reading along with me. They both hold so still and look at pictures, constantly reaching out to touch the bright colors and shapes they see. After four books, they started getting drowsy. What better way to start off a nap than reading books together?

                                             

 I love watching them sleep. I love that I can lay them down on their own and 90% of the time go to sleep on their own. They are such precious children, and are so peaceful when they are asleep!

My challenge to myself: spend the majority of each day with my children: read, play, laugh, smile, talk, and enjoy the moments we have now. Enjoy the time we have together, for it is so short. Love them, and let them know they are something special. 

How do you spend time with your children every day?  How did your parents spend time with you? We love new ideas, please share!

Playtime

   We made a fort today: cue childhood memories!! We've had a rough day with naps not lasting very long, and babies wanting to be mobile but can't quite make it work. So instead of breaking down in tears and giving up on having a good day, I decided we would make a fort. Instant mood changer! Got us out of the normal dull day, and distracted us for almost an hour and a half.
    Will they remember it? Probably not. Will they remember the dozen nursery rhymes I read, the toys we played with? Probably not. Will they know their mom loves them no matter yet? You bet they will!! What will I remember? Their wide eyes looking up at the blanket above them, their smiles as I made funny voices/faces for the stories we read. The cooing and laughing they did as we 'wrestled' and I tickled them. I forsee many fort days in the future...which leads me to a question for you. How do you make your forts? I never seem to get them quite right and they usually end up falling on me! Fortunately that didn't occur today, but share your fort making tips with us!!

How do you do it?

As a mother of twins, I get asked "How do you do it?" constantly, amidst comments such as "I never want twins" "You must have your hands full" "Looks like too much work" "You must be tired all the time" and "Twins! That must be quite the handful!" Never do I get a moments peace while shopping, because I am continually bombarded with curious onlookers, some well meaning and some just outright surprised that I can even manage to stir out of the house. I usually don't mind the questions and comments (in fact, those of you who know me, I kind of enjoy the attention sometimes ;) ). So peeps, to answer the question, this is how I do it: I just simply DO.

      I'm not going to burden you with our daily schedule of feedings, diaper changing, and everything in between. Because really, that's not what is important or hard about being a mother to twins. I have two precious, beautiful, talented individuals who look to me for nurturing and guidance. THAT is the challenge. THAT is the reason I feel so blessed and lucky to have been chosen to receive two children at the same time. Andrew and I came up with a theory on why we have twins. Not because of genetics (though that really plays a huge part), but because we had two children in heaven who were arguing over who got to come first. They couldn't decide so they both came at the same time!

Things I have learned raising twins thus far:
1. Nurse two babies at the same time (I really don't know how I'm going to nurse one baby later on, I don't know how!)
2. Speed change a diaper
3. Carry two babies with one arm, leaving the other arm free for carrying other things.
4  Carry two carseats, a diaper bag, and grocery bags at the same time.
5. How to simultaneously bottle feed two hungry babies at the same time.
6. Biggest one I'm still working on and probably will be for the rest of my life: how to get laundry, house cleaning, and cooking done!
7. How to take care of fussy babies at the same time (mostly at night, so it's with Andrew's help!)
8. How to trust my husband to take care of both babies while I run some errands
9. How to let go of a schedule to go with the flow
10. How fortunate and extremely blessed I feel everyday when I hear Braydon and McKenzie cooing at each other after their naps, and when I see their big smiles when I pick them up out of their cribs

 So how do I do it? I just....do it! I live through each day catching the joys and "fuzzies," storing them up for when we have a rough day (which are not as prevalent as I make it sound!). I do it by giving Braydon and McKenzie lots of kisses and hugs, and lots of play time, trying to get as many smiles as I can. We have rought days, sometimes seems impossible to get through. Days of endless texts to Andrew saying..."I can't do it! I don't know what else to do! This is too hard!" Days when all three of us end up crying ourselves to sleep at some point. But then there are the good days, which are almost every day. Days of laughter and smiles. Days where I can't get enough of my babies and wish they would wake up from their naps just so I could hold them and see their smiling faces looking at me. Do I ever wish I only had one baby? NEVER. There are so many unique joys only a parent of twins experience. The joy of loving two very separate individuals that happen to be the same age. The tug of heartstrings when they start interacting and smiling at each other. The satisfaction of knowing they will always have a playmate, someone always on their side and looking out for one another when I can't be with them (which hasn't happened yet obviously but come school time!). Kudos to every mom out there who "does it". Simply lives to nurture their children, and give them their very best. Every mom has tough days, and happy days. How do I do it with twins? I simply do....because I am a MOM!

Hairbow holder

McKenzie has quite a few hairbows/flowers, etc. I wish she had more, and I wish I had time to make really cute ones. Anyway...I needed a place to put the ones she already has, because they were taking up room in their sock/onsie drawer. I had seen this holder before at a friend's house over a year ago, and then found a tutorial on it through Pinterest. I liked making it so much that I made four of them! (one I'm not going to post because it was the very first one and I don't like it.) Maybe one day if anyone is interested I"ll post pictures on how to make one. For now I'm just posting the pictures of the three I made. I didn't put any flowers on it for pictures, but the flowers just clip onto the ribbon. Ta da!! Enjoy!

This is McKenzie's. It's hanging above the changing table right now. :)

 

This is for my niece Alyza, my brother's little girl.

This is for my niece Allie, Andrew's brother's daughter.

McKenzie Rolls Over!

Around five months McKenzie finally rolled over for the first time! She just had no desire to do it before I suppose. Braydon rolled over pretty early but hadn't done it again for a couple months, until now after his sister started to. McKenzie LOVES stuffed animals and soft toys, so I put one a little further away from her, and, lo and behold!, she rolled from her back to her stomach to reach it. I guess she just needed a little motivation, because now that she's mastered it she does it constantly. The video is not from her first time, but a couple days later.

Update: Warning, it might be slightly lengthy!!

Wow, over a month since I've written! I always want to be a good blogger, always adding updates, etc. My problem is, however, is I bore MYSELF with what I write sometimes, while other blogs are always so interesting and seems like people actually do fun things with their life!! We do have fun though, and I'll try to do a quick update (sorry no pictures...Andrew has the camera with him!)
1. Birthday was July 9th, went to Zoo Boise with my family...tons of fun!
2. Hiked into Jump Creek with the babies...put their feet in the cold water which they DID NOT like!
3. Scared out of my sleep by a crop duster flying directly above the house...took some cool pictures!
4. Went to Lake Lowell and walked on the "beach"
5. Drove around areas of Nampa/Caldwell I didn't know existed, all so we could let the kids sleep longer and take a good nap.
6. Got a sweet double stroller that ended up getting a ripped seat (got a free replacement!), and three flat tires, all of which are now replaced and we are back in business!
7. Bought more diapers I ever thought possible.
8. Went to my Grandpa Bingham's funeral, which was the first funeral I have been to that had military rites:
VERY cool to see, although Braydon didn't like the guns. Grandpa was 90 years old, and I am so grateful he got the chance to see the twins numerous times. He told me more than once he had waited a long time for twins to appear in the family again (his dad was a twin and hasn't been any more until now!). He left quite a legacy behind him and I'm proud to call myself his granddaughter!

There was a lot more we did, but that's all I can think of. :) Here is an update on how the babies are developing!

            Braydon

 tries to scoot himself on the floor, no more rolling

finally outweighs his sister by half a pound for the first time in his young life

LOVES being outside, would stay out there all day if he could 

loves his routine and to stay in it

can clear out a room with his toots

knows what he wants when he wants it, sometimes it takes me a couple days to figure it out

           McKenzie 
 grins at anyone who comes to get her out of bed
cries at anyone who startles her and will then glare at them, even a few days after. She doesn't forgive easily!can sleep anywhere at naptime, even a shopping cart at Costco
will finally cuddle with mommy (she would with Dad and her Grandma Bell, but not me)
can give any boy a run for his money with her toots
is reaching for toys and putting EVERYTHING in her mouth

 Both babies love eating their hands/fists (what baby doesn't?) Their schedule is pretty much set, which includes sleeping from 9:30 to 7:30 every night. Eat every three hours, and in between times is full of playing and exploring! Both are so content as long as their needs are met, and have the most adorable smiles. I love that they sleep 10 hours a night, yet here I am, 10:30 at night, blogging instead of sleeping. :) They are great travelers and put up with me and Andrew taking them to town and wherever else strikes our fancy. More updates later, when I have pictures to break up the monotony of words. Sorry all....

July 4th

  Monday is the Fourth of July (bet ya didn't know that huh?!). It's one of my most favorite holidays (that may or may not be because my birthday comes five days after). I have missed the Rupert 4th of July celebrations for three years now, and it's just hitting me now how much I miss it! In Rupert, it's more of Fourth of July WEEK not just day. Concerts every night in the square, food booths galore with some of the most amazing food, firework show in the square, the parade on the actual day, barbecues, and so much more.
    The celebrations were part of my childhood, something I looked forward to every year. It's not so much the celebrations I am missing, but the traditions I have with my family. The closeness I miss having with them. Spending time with them and enjoying the events at the square. Hearing Grandpa's stories about his time in the war. Going to the patriotic program held on the Sunday around the 4th. I miss it, and I miss my family so much.

     The 4th isn't just a day to shoot off fireworks and eat food, it's about celebrating the freedom we are so lucky to have. It's a time to celebrate all the men and women who are fighting to KEEP that freedom, and for those who have fought. I always think of my Grandpa, who served our country in WWII as an MP. He had to go overseas three (six maybe?) weeks after his first child was born, and didn't return until he was 18 months old. Others have sacrificed so much more, even their lives. The unity our counry has, and the unity I feel in my family, THAT'S what the 4th is all about. THAT is a cause worth celebrating. Remember what you hold dear, remember those that served and are serving, and have a wonderful 4th of July.

Obsession

I feel this blog is all about the babies and nothing else. Sorry to those who think I'm obsessed with my children...cause I kinda am. I love them so much and let's face it, what else does my life consist of? :) Today I put the babies down for "tummy time" and Braydon lifted his head really high, more than usual. I got the camera to take pictures, and lo and behold he started trying to roll over. It was no accidental thing, he did it on purpose. I was lucky enough to catch it on camera!!

McKenzie hasn't shown too much interest in rolling over. I think she will be a "back to front" roller when she does. I don't forsee her crawling first either. I forsee her telling Braydon to go get her what she wants and making him do all the work. :) Enjoy some more pictures!

 

  I figured McKenzie needed a little spotlight after her brother's exciting roll over. (Problem with having twins, I can't just gloat about what one baby did, I feel guilty leaving out the other baby!!). McKenzie is not a snuggler in the way her brother is. She is more of a "hold me but not too close" kinda gal. So Andrew got a rare treat when she snuggled up to him like this. No joke, she held that pose/face for about five minutes. So cute. :) 

These sleepers were Christmas presents to the babies before they were born from their Grandma Bingham (my mom). They finally fit into them! I love when we get these two out of bed in the morning and after naps. They give us the biggest grin, just happy to see us and happy to be awake.

Father's Day Present

I got this idea from my friend's craft blog: http://jillmadeit.blogspot.com/ She had gotten the idea from someone else, but I found it on her blog. I adapted it to fit our needs, and the end product was wonderful!! This was also the first present I have made/gotten Andrew that he actually didn't find out what it was beforehand! (mostly because he didn't try to find out this time!).
     Cut out letters from posterboard, cardboard, whatever you want. My friend had made letters spelling out "I love Daddy" but for my kids I did "We heart (I drew out a heart, not spell out the word) Dad. My friend did a separate picture for each letter, but I did a separate picture for each word. I printed them out at Wal-Mart, size 4x6, and put them in a three slot picture frame. It took me about two weeks to complete mainly because I wanted to take the pictures outside and I needed warm weather to do so! I couldn't have done it without the help of my sister, brother, and mother-in-law. Thank you!! :) Following are the pictures I used and the last picture is the finished product.

My mother-in-law is sitting to the right of the bench, prepared to catch a baby should they fall. I would take a couple pictures, reposition, count to three, and she would take her hands off. :) I edited all these pictures on our picture manager thing on Andrew's computer.

 

This was taken at my parents house, obviously on their couch. They are in their blessing outfits my mom made for them. They are both almost smiling in this one!

 

Another picture taken at my parents house, with one of my? old baby blankets, wearing the matching outfits from my Grandma Clawson. Under the blanket is Peter holding up Braydon and Lauren holding up McKenzie. This was probably the most difficult picture to take because we had to hold them up and try not to get their arms in the picture. :) Most of takes from this picture they both look so serious and mad. This was the least serious of them all.

 

The finished product!! For some reason the photos didn't print out very well at Wal-Mart and they left a quarter inch white strip on each side of the picture. I could have cropped them, but it would have cut McKenzie's head off more than it already did. So it's not as well done as I would have hoped, but it will do for my first project.

 

It was so fun to make this, and the smile on Andrew's face made it all worth it!! Next project: cut out letters in wood that spell out their names and paint them. The letters will go above their cribs once we move and they finally get their own room!! The following are picture from today that I caught of the babies smiling!!

McKenzie was enthralled with the ceiling fan. She kept talking and smiling while looking at it. 

I was making faces at Braydon and he finally smiled long enough to get a picture.

 

Love

I love my babies. How lucky I am to have Braydon and McKenzie as part of my life! They are such AMAZING  little beings!! They change and grow so much everyday and it's just phenomenal to watch them.   I miss my little babies, but love my growing infants!

  Outfits from my sister-in-law's mom who came to see me in the hospital the day after they were born. She wasn't sure if they would let her in since she wasn't family, so she told them she was my "Aunt Julie". Braydon and McKenzie both are such patient, content babies! They hardly ever cry, except to eat, and they are learning to sleep in their cribs for naps, instead of me holding them. What a relief!! They travel well and have made two trips to Rupert, one to Boise, one to the Owyhee Reservoir, and several to town. We are so lucky to have such good babies!

 McKenzie is my precious little sweet pea!! Her grin lights up her face and the faces of those she smiles at. Her coo is soft and sounds like a dove. She has moments where she looks into the distance and starts cooing so much! It sounds like she is having a conversation with someone we can't see, and sometimes I really think there is someone there watching over us and she is aware of them. I like to think she is telling them, "It's okay. I love it here and my mom is doing a great job. I am loved and feel safe here." It's such a precious moment when she is "talking". I stop everything and quietly listen to her soft little voice and it gives me peace to know I'm doing a well enough job that she is content with her little life here.

Braydon is my little snuggle bug! He loves nothing better than to be snuggled up against anyone who will hold him. He started cooing before McKenzie, and he has such expressions!! His big blue eyes show everything he is feeling, and most of the time they are wide with curiosity. He often sighs and it is such a contented little sigh. Before he started smiling he always had a worried look on his face, or a scared one. It always worried ME when he did that, thinking I was doing something wrong. Once he smiled it was such a joyous day! Andrew and I were changing both of them at the same time when he smiled and we both started smiling and cheering it was such a cute little smile. His "hungry" and "sad" cries are so heartbreaking. They start out as whimpers that sound so tragic until they turn into mad fits that aren't so cute. :) I do everything I can to keep my little Braydon happy so I can always see his smiling face.

We love our little family and rejoice in the little spirits we were entrusted with. I often catch them with their fists/hands touching while they sleep, and it just strengthens my love for them. I am so grateful for the temple marriage Andrew and I have that allows us to be sealed to our family forever. No matter what this life brings, we'll be together in the next.

Month of New Beginnings

What a fantastic month it has been! I will tell most of our past month in the form of pictures. They say more than I ever could.

On March 23, 2011 at 11:36 and 11:41 pm, I gave birth to our two beautiful children. What a precious gift from Heavenly Father!! 

On April 9th, my dashing husband graduated from BYU-Idaho with his bachelor's degree. He worked so hard to get to this point and he did a magnificent job! Especially considering I had the twins a week before finals. 

 

I don't have a picture of it, but we moved back to Homedale on April 12th. On April 18th Andrew had a job interview at Simplot, and on April 19th Andrew was offered the job position! It's an internship that will lead into a permanent job with the company. He will be testing potato plants throughout the growing season and watching them. When they are harvested Simplot will know what potatoes will be best to use for processing. As Andrew says, he will be the "fry master." We're ecstatic about this new position and he is excited to work for such a well-known company. He starts on Monday April 25th!

Last, but certainly not least, tomorrow on April 23rd our twins will be a month old! I can't believe Braydon and McKenzie have already been on this earth for a month. They are such precious, beautiful children whom we love so much. They are such patient, content babies: perfectly happy to cuddle up with anyone and go to sleep. When they are awake they are both alert and constantly looking around, taking in the world around them. We are blessing them on May 1st, and we can't wait to see all our family!

Happy one month Birthday Braydon and McKenzie! Mom and Dad love you so much, and are eternally grateful you are a part of our lives. You have brought so much joy and love into our hearts already, and we look forward to watching you grow up.

6 days...

In six days I am moving from this......

to THIS.......

     Okay, so there really isn't any snow left in Rexburg right now, and it's starting to warm up, but I am trying to express my excitement that we are MOVING OUT OF REXBURG!!!!! Andrew is graduating on Saturday morning, we are moving the following Tuesday, and hopefully will not be back again! I would say we will never be back again, but Andrew likes this area and thinks maybe one day he'll work at BYU-I. We'll see how that goes, but for now we are done with Rexburg. It's been a great place to go to school and we have met some amazing friends here we wouldn't have otherwise. However, when you end up being here for five years (3 of those being your own, 2 being with your husband) then it starts to get old and claustrophobic. I'm excited to be moving back to Homedale where it's at least 20 degrees warmer, I'm back in the country and out of a town, and just have so much to look forward to. 

      Rexburg, you've been good to me. You gave me a place to gain my education, I met my husband here, and had my two amazing children here. I've led a good life here, but it's time to move on. Time to spread my wings and start our life in another place. Farewell Rexburg, and hello HOMEDALE!! :)

1 week old!

Our precious little Braydon and McKenzie are just over a week old! A week and three days, but I missed posting on the actual day they were a week. They are growing and staying on track of where they need to be. They are starting to eat more, and more often, so that's taken some getting used to! The first week they slept until I woke them up to eat, then they would go back to sleep. The last few days they have been more alert and less sleepy, making it fun for us to watch them. My mom just went home after being with us for almost a week, and we were so glad to have her here! It made the transition so much easier and gave us the confidence we needed to start this new life of ours. We love having Braydon and McKenzie a part of our lives: they bring so much love and happiness into our home, and have strengthened the relationship Andrew and I have. So much love and joy from two little 6lb babies!!

Braydon Alexander and McKenzie Ruth Bell

After being in labor for 26 hours, with pushing time being around 2-2 1/2 hours with Braydon, the Bell twins are finally here! They were born March 23, same day as my little brother Peter (who, by the way, is ecstatic they share the same birthday). Poor Braydon didn't want to come so he was vaccumed out by the doctor at 11:36 pm. McKenzie came shortly after, feet first, at 11:41 pm. Braydon was 6lbs. 7oz and 19 1/2 in. long. McKenzie was 6lbs. 11oz. 20 1/2 in. long. McKenzie spent about 8 hours in the NICU, and Braydon spent about 10 hours in the NICU. By the end of the the day, the 24th, both were in my room with me and doing great! Neither of them has had to return to the NICU and will both be coming home with us tomorrow. Enjoy the pictures, and I will soon be on facebook again and will add more pictures there than here. But for now, enjoy!

Very shortly after their birth...soooo tired!

Proud Papa still in the scrubs he was given to wear. 

Grandpa!

Braydon Alexander

McKenzie Ruth

Already sleeping on the job....Daddy and McKenzie after being fed/burped

Day Four

Update:
    Well, I'm still here! Blood pressure is staying about where it has been, which isn't great but at least it isn't spiking. I finish my second protein test tomorrow morning at 6am, then wait till mid-day to get the results. If the protein level is really high, they will deliver the twins. If it stays relatively low I will be kept on hospital bed rest till Friday. So for the next week here is what could happen: they will be delivered tomorrow if protein levels are super high-if not, I will be kept here until Friday and they will deliver them then. If at any point my blood pressure spikes really high they will be delivered: with the pre-eclampsia stuff if my blood pressure gets too high there is the risk that I would have a siezure. Friday is when I will be 37 weeks and that is considered full term for twins. The doctor said there is no point in letting them go beyond the 37 weeks because they will have basically hit their maturity by then. So we will definitely have babies by this weekend!!
  I'm still feeling just fine, besides being largely uncomfortable with two babies moving around. Today I had lots of visitors to make the day go faster. My brother and his family came up to visit, then my parents and two other siblings came to visit for a few hours. It was nice seeing them again, and they brought me books and magazines to stay sane with. :) Until next time....

My yummy lunch: baked potato, pork, fruit, and milk

Matt, Annie, Garrett, Shay, and Alyza came to visit! It was also Alyza's 1st birthday! I visited her in the hospital the day she was born, and she kept up the tradition by visiting me in the hospital a year later. Happy Birthday Lyza Lou!

Day Three

Update on my hospital stay:
     My protein test came back with low numbers, but still a little higher than what it should be.  My blood pressure has gone down since thursday night, but is still at an undesirable level. Typical blood pressures are 120/80 (if I remember right) and my blood pressure has been staying around 145/103, give or take a few numbers in that range. The doctor wanted to keep me here to continue monitoring it, and tomorrow morning at 6 am they will start another protein test. Tuesday morning at 6am the test will be over and we will receive the results by mid-day. If the protein numbers are high, or if my blood tests come back showing signs of problems in my kidneys, then they will have to deliver the twins. If numbers are low enough I may be able to go home on bed rest, or may have to stay in the hospital on bed rest. The doctor wants the twins to at least make it to Friday when they will be 37 weeks. Even a few days will benefit their development so we're hoping they stay put for a few more days!
      I am feeling just fine, not sick or anything. Bed rest hasn't been too difficult, just rather boring. I'm not experiencing any of the typical symptoms of high blood pressure so things have been pretty easy for me. I'm on an iron pill because I'm slightly anemic, but other than that I'm doing great! The twins are just fine and have no problems whatsoever. Andrew has been an amazing support to me this whole time, doing his homework here and making sure I have everything I need. He spent the first two nights at the hospital with me but finally went home to sleep last night. Sleeping arrangements aren't that comfortable for spouses here. Thank you to everyone who has called/texted to let me know you were thinking of me. I appreciate all the prayers and calls I've received!!

Hospital Visit

Yes, I'm at the hospital right now and due to the wi-fi restrictions I can't get on facebook. Sad to say, it is driving me bonkers not being able to get on. So to update everyone on my current condition I'm blogging about it. :) As long as Andrew's computer battery holds out...
   Last night about 9:30 I realized I had a headache that hadn't gone away the past couple hours. Normally I wouldn't worry about it, but at my dr's appt I was told that because of my high blood pressure I really needed to watch for symptoms that it was high again: one of those symptoms being a headache. I almost didn't do anything about it, but Andrew and I decided we better get my blood pressure checked just in case. We went to the ER, and they sent us up to to Labor and Delivery. We were in the exam room for about 2 1/2 hours, waiting for lab results from my blood test to come back, and waiting to see if my blood pressure went down. It didn't go down the entire time, so they decided to send me home on bed rest until Monday. Within ten minutes that plan changed and they had me stay here at the hospital. Thankfully I was given a more comfortable room and bed. I am doing a 24 hour urine test where they collect my urine in a jug for 24 hours. After the 24 hours are up they will test it for protein. If the protein number is greater than 5000 they will have to induce labor to avoid any danger to the twins and me. If the number is lower than 300 I will be sent home but kept on strict bed rest.


   So far this morning my blood pressure has gone down, but is still in an undesirable range. My amazing husband stayed the night with me in the hospital last night in a teeny tiny cot. It even has bed rails on both sides so he doesn't fall out. :) He gave me a blessing and now we're just playing the waiting game. My urine test is over at 12:30 tonight, and then they will test it. We will know what is going on tomorrow morning: whether I get to go home or if we will become parents within the next couple days!

Is it the end yet?

35 weeks!! Optimal birthing time would be two more weeks, but at the end of 3 weeks if they haven't come yet they will talk about inducing me. 37 weeks is considered full term for twins, and if they are born before that there are maturity issues. Any later than that and other complications could arise. So we're hoping they come in 2 weeks, perfectly healthy and no need to induce. :)
   I've been busy "nesting", making sure everything is ready for them to come home. We have quite the month ahead of us. They will be coming in about 2-3 weeks, Andrew is graduating in 4 weeks, and we'll then be moving back to Homedale as soon as we can after graduation. I'm VERY excited to be moving, and to have a more permanent residence. No moving every few months like we have the past two years! Andrew has a job interview when we move back with Simplot for a fieldman position in Caldwell. We're hoping things work out with it and we get to stay in the area. Here's hoping the next month or so goes smoothly without being too chaotic and stressful!