Tied Up

Teething Score:

Carson: 2
Cade: 2

Both of them have two little bottom teeth! Woo Hoo!!!

Meeting Chandler

We got to meet Chandler yesterday. What a handsome boy!!! We had a fun, productive day. When we got there, it was a pink nursery with a closet full of pink clothes. When we left, it was a boy nursery filled with tons of cute boy clothes. That baby is all set. I'm so glad I was able to spend the day with my mom & sisters. Lindsay is doing such a good job...I was super impressed. Here are some more pictures for those of you who are waiting for more...like me!

Auntie Lauren

Yes, those are girl pants with a ruffle across the bum. We made sure he had some boy pants before we left!

Poor little thing has a rash on his cheeks and chin so he's a little red. We had just put some cream on it so he's a little shiny too...but still so, so cute!

Mid-sneeze!

I love this picture of him...but he was still using that girly binkie. Before I left, I made sure they got rid of it. They had a hard time parting with it!

Helping with the Laundry

Cade says Hi!!!

I love Carson peaking from behind the pillow. We put the pillow between them to avoid tears...caused by the bonking of heads, pulling of ears, etc.

New Toys at Grandma's

We had a fun cousin day yesterday. Grandma watches Chase every Thursday. He was wondering what was going on when the twins invaded his territory. They actually played pretty cute together!

Amy's new vacuum

Here's Amy's new vacuum. Our boys screamed whenever our old vacuum came out, but they like to chase this one around the house. Miele (that's what we call her) is like a part of our family now. We see her quite often and she's pretty much Amy's new best friend.

The word is out!

Just wanted to let you know that Lindsay has updated her blog. Carson & Cade are so excited to have another BOY cousin!!! Okay, maybe it's me who's excited. We are happy that Chandler is a healthy baby boy (even though we threw a huge baby GIRL shower!!!). Here's our new family motto: Boys Rule and Girls Drool! We can't wait to meet him.

Lots of Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to me...yesterday!!! Happy Birthday to Shane's brother Jeremy...yesterday! Happy Birthday to the newest Chandler Grandbaby...TODAY!!! Lindsay had her baby a little earlier this evening. Mom and Baby are doing well. I want to give all the details but I'm going to wait so that she can spill the beans. Hopefully I'll see some pictures soon. We are so excited for Wynn & Lindsay. They will be great parents.

I had a low-key birthday. Shane is working right outside of Twin Falls this week so I packed up the boys and we came with him. I wasn't about to spend my birthday alone while my hubby kicks back in Twin! It has worked out well because we have help from Grandparents...which is really the best gift a Mommy could get! We are enjoying our time with the fam.

I got my birthday gift a little early this year. I've never been more anxious to use my new "toy." I have been begging for this gift for awhile now and Shane finally gave in and bought me my vacuum!!! Ya, that's right...vacuum! I LOVE it! We have been needing a new one for so long now and it was a glorious day when I took my Meile (that's the brand) home. We got it from my Mom's cleaning center. We did our research and are super pleased with the purchase. I'm the kind of girl that likes freshly vacuumed carpet on a daily basis so it has already been well used. Thanks Shane. You must really love me! Maybe I'll post some pictures of me and my new best friend soon.

Just Hangin' Out!

We had Brady & Katie over on Sunday. I went out on a limb and tried a new recipe hoping that it wouldn't be discusting...pretty risky when you're serving guests. It acutally turned out to be really yummy, unless they were all just lying to me to make me feel good. I'll get the recipe posted here soon. These are just some pictures from the evening.

Umm...yes, my house is a WRECK!!!

Fun Day at the Park

Christy and I took the babes for a walk on the green belt and a picnic at the park. We are trying to enjoy the few days we have left of nice weather. We had a good time. Baby Emery is now 4 months old.

Emery, Cade, & Carson

Keeping Score

TEETHING SCORE:

Carson: 2
Cade: 1

Yes, I'm doing what everyone says NOT to do as a mother...comparing my two kids. Just can't help it!!!

"Fertility Stumpers"

I just wanted to make aware a new blog that has been created. "Fertility Stumpers" is for those who may be struggling in the area of infertility. I know that it is so nice to talk to people who have been there. This is a place where you can read about others' experiences, ask questions, and get support. Hopefully it is helpful, as this trial can be heart-wrenching. I have a link to the blog if anyone is interested.

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, I made plans to go into work late. I had an appointment with a high-risk OB Doctor to take a little closer look at the twins. There was a fluid discrepancy which needed to be addressed. It didn’t look like anything too serious, just one of those "let’s be on the safe-side" kind of things. By the end of the appointment, I was in a wheel chair and being admitted into Labor & Delivery at St. Luke’s hospital with pre-term labor. At the time, I was 24 weeks along in my pregnancy.

What had just happened? Everything was going so smoothly. I hadn’t experienced even one day of sickness. During my exam, we learned that I was starting to dilate and was 90% effaced. I didn’t realize that I was having contractions until they put a monitor on me. I just thought, yea my back hurts. Not a surprise since I was on my feet all day working full-time…no biggie. Little did I know that I wouldn’t go home for 10 weeks, 68 days to be exact. I went in the first week of September and was discharged days before Thanksgiving. I continued bed rest at home for another week and a half before the babies arrived.

We started our blog a week after I went in so that we could keep our family and friends updated on the babies. Shane did such a great job at keeping it updated. At the time, I didn’t want to be the one blogging. I was worried that I would turn it into my venting station and that’s not what I wanted it to be. Reading back on it all, he did a much better job than I would have.

I’ve been taught that every trial can be a time of learning and for our benefit. As hard as it is in the moment, I believe this to be 100% true. Hindsight, I feel like I did learn a lot and it was without a doubt, for the benefit of my children and me. I feel like I need to document some of the things that I learned, since I have yet to do it.

• I have the BEST hubby in the world. He packed up the house and pretty much moved in with me. I am proud to say that I didn’t spend one night alone. He was such a support to me and I couldn’t have survived without him. He certainly stepped up to the plate and took care of me and our house 100%.
• Chocolate CAN bring happiness! I don’t think I went a day without it and wouldn’t have done it any other way. And yes, I am still paying for it!!
• People, in general, are kind and compassionate. We were overwhelmed with the love and support that was shown us. We never ceased to be surprised by the people that reached out to us.
• As much as we need to be serving others, we also need to let others serve us. This has always been so hard for me. Shane always would reassure me that I was doing a service by giving other people the opportunity to serve and accepting the help that was offered.
• Reading is fun! I wasn’t at all a reader until this experience. I think I am forever changed in that regard.
• You never stop needing your Mom. I think that the first time my Mom came to see me was the most emotional day of all. I was so happy to have her there. There is comfort and love that can only come from a Mother, and we never stop needing that.
• Watching the same News broadcast 6 times a day will make you crazy.
• Wheelchair rides are more exciting than you might think…thanks to Shane!
• Thursdays are always the best. Not only was it the best TV night but it was also my massage day. Huge perk!
• I have the best friends and ward ever. It feels so good to know that there are people who love and care about you…genuinely. There are friendships that were nurtured and strengthened during that time that will last forever.
• Blow dryers are heaven-sent. The day Shane brought me my blow dryer was like Christmas morning.
• The Nurses in the Antepartum unit at St. Luke’s are the BEST!!! They became such good friends, to me and to Shane. It was sad to say goodbye to them.
• My Father in Heaven knows me. He loves me and wants the best for me. He hears our prayers and knows our hearts. Such comfort is felt knowing that you are never left alone. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our hearts can be healed and comforted. For this, I am truly grateful. My Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was strengthened like never before.
• It was all worth it. Every tear that was shed. Every solitary day. Every minute spent hooked up to machines and monitors. Every single piece of chocolate. Every bedsore. Every meal of hospital food. Every deteriorating muscle. Every shot of medicine…up to 4 a day. It was all worth it. When I look at my boys today, how can I not feel grateful? They were worth it all.

So, happy one year! I could keep on going forever. It seems like it happened all too recently. I will forever be grateful for the wonderful nurses and doctors that took care of us. For the selfless service that was rendered in our behalf (our lawn being taken care of, surprise baby shower at the hospital, yummy food, the sacrament being brought in every single Sunday). For the endless blessings that were given us. For my family, my husband and my two little boys. I am forever grateful.

9 Months...Picture Overload!

Cade lovin' the grass

Priceless Face!!!

Cute Baby Carson

Teething X Two

Need I say more???