Misses Mom

July 4, 2012

Ruthie had a hard day today.  She cried a lot.  After being sent to her room multiple times I went in and talked to her.  I laid down on her bed and asked what was wrong.  Here is our conversation:
Ruth: I'm grumpy.
Me: Why are you grumpy?
Ruth: I want mom.
Me: I'm mom.
Ruth: No, the other mom.
Me: You mean Gigi?
Ruth: yeah, Gigi mom

 Ruthie had a very special month with Gigi.  Ruth's behavior changed.  She didn't have as many melt downs, or bite, throw, hit, scratch or push.  Ruth needed a gigi mom.  She devoured the attention and responded well.  It was neat to see Ruth and Gigi bond.  I know Ruth will always remember her time with Gigi.  In fact, Gigi left her pillow here and it is on Ruth's bed.   I tried laying on it tonight, Ruth piped in, "that's gigi's pillow not yours."

                   I am so pleased to be Ruth's mom.  I'm also so pleased she loves her grandma.   

David

Gigi has been with us for a month.  She left today.  What a sad, sad day.  She spent special time with each of the children.  Gigi understands David.  She relates to his energetic, sensitive and friendly spirit. 

31 years old

I celebrated my 31st birthday last week.  It was the best day.  I went to breakfast in the morning with Paul.  Then all afternoon my mom and I went shopping.  We brought home a pizza, opened presents and had cake.  Everyone went out of their way to make the day special.  I was spoiled.  31 years old with 5 children.  That's a good place to be. 

Brave

                     Gigi took Eden to see Brave this month.  Eden was excited for this much anticipated date.

                           Since they were the only ones in the theater, Eden danced to the credits at the end.

                                                   After the movies Eden choose to get a treat at the custard shop. 

2

                                                         What could be cuter than 2?

2 weeks

Benjamin Durban has intense eyes.  When he is awake he looks at things carefully.  He is calm and patient.  He seems to understand the world around him.  He knows he is a twin.  He knows he will be feed, changed and burped - he will wait for it.  Ben is attracted to light.  He usually sleeps longer than Sam but both are great sleepers.  Bless you Ben-jam-in.   

                                        
Samuel Richard has black hair.  It has started to stick up.  His face turns red when he cries.  He no longer has grey/purple feet and hands.  Sam seems to live in the moment.  If all his needs are met, he is content.  Sam smiles in his sleep.  He seems to be the boss, or at least the one to demand to be first.  He loves his brother, when I lay them together Sam is usually the first to smoother Ben and start crying in his ear.            

                                     My very talented BFF took these precious pictures.  Thank you dear friend. 

One week

David & Benjamin

                                    We have been home one week.  One long week...look how cute they are though.

Sam & Ben

 The boys have both lost their cords, sleeping 4-5 hour stretches, nursing and taking bottles.  Tandem nursing is not going so well.  I nurse them one at a time...which means all I basically do is nurse.  I am trying to find a balance of nursing, pumping and bottle feeding which will actually work once my mom leaves.  It is still surreal to have twins.  I have twins!

Sam & Ben

Sam is a hot head.  He gets mad quickly and his whole body turns red.  When he wakes up, he wants to eat!  Ben is more calm and patient.  He sleeps better and doesn't stir as much as Sam.  Ben looks like an old man.  He has no fat to fill all those wrinkles in.  We think Sam looks likes Eden as a baby and Ben looks like David as a baby.  They have different cries. They obviously look very different, so it has been easy to tell them apart. 

                 Both are very good babies.  I cannot complain.  They eat, poop and sleep well...what more could I ask for.     

Arrival of twins

Going to the hospital * 38 weeks 2 days*

I went to the hospital on July 6, 2012 to be induced.  It was time.  I was having a few contractions but nothing consistent.  I was admitted at 7:30am, given an IV at 8:30am, an epidural at 10:00am, pitocin at 10:15am, water was broken at 10:30am.  At 11:20am I was dilated to a 5, then at 12:30 I was fully dilated  at a 10.  The nurse left and came back in scrubs.  She tossed Paul some scrubs and a team of nurses wheeled me into the operating room.  They moved me onto the operating table, gave me some oxygen and the doctor came in.  I was calm, there were lots of people busily working.  In a few minutes everyone was situated and  3 pushes later Sam was out.  Ben turned sideways once Sam was out, the doctor was able to help turn him head down by pushing on my stomach.  He broke Ben's water and 3 pushes later Ben was out.  Done.  I laid there calm and patient.  I thanked Heavenly Father for epidurals.  I was relieved they were out and crying.  I heard the nurses talking about calling the NICU but then minutes later it was dropped.  The boys were fine.  Everything went smoothly and so fast.  Only a few stitches.  3 1/2 hours of labor.

Seeing the boys for the fist time

                                            Sam was born at 12:43pm  &  Ben born at 12:49pm

Benjamin Durban 5 lbs 9 oz, 19 inches & Samuel Richard 6 lbs 14 oz, 19 inches

                                     

Gigi meeting the twins

Proud dad

The boys are all cleaned and wrapped tightly.  I can't believe they were inside of  me earlier that day.  I can breath easier and that sharp pain in my stomach is gone. 

Eden & David meet the twins

Going home

                                                                        All five kiddos

Big brother

Everyone loves the babies.  Ruthie calls them Sam & Benjamin.  The other day Sam was in the bouncer.  Ruthie came in the room and said, "where's the other Sam?"

                                                                      Home and asleep.

So far, they have been good sleepers and nursers.  They sleep 5 hour stretches at night.  Ben is more calm and patient.  He is easier to pacify.  Sam gets mad fast and takes awhile to calm down.  They both like to cuddle and are so small.  Such little birds.  They make squeaking noises and like to be swaddled.  My recovery is coming along.  It has been much more painful then the others.  Thank goodness my mom is here.  If the pain of engorgement, uterus contractions and back aches calm down...I think I can do this.  It is just crazy.

                      We love the boys.  They  look different.  We are curious to see if that changes.  We are so thankful that they are healthy and here.  We are so blessed.  We really do feel the prayers and love from everyone.  Thank you so much.    

38 weeks

Gigi is here

                                                                    Babies you can come now...please.

David riding a bike

Riding bikes with dad

Purdue fountains

                                                                         Getting out and cooling off.

                                     Ruthie's light hair is a far cry from her jet black baby puff 2 years ago.

36 weeks

                                                                Ruthie calls the twins my "tummy babies".

Happy Father's day

Paul has wanted a bike for awhile.  One day last week he came home with a bike!  He is excited to ride to school and with the kids.  We love you dad. 

above average

One of the first questions Paul asked when we found out I was carrying twins was: "when will they come?".  The nurse stated that 35 weeks was the average amount of time mothers of twins delivered.  So, today I am above average!  I am 35 weeks and not in labor.  We are doing good.  This week I have felt better than previous weeks.  I think coming to terms that I will be in pain everyday helped. Before, when I had pain I was worried of preterm labor.  I have felt the prayers of family

 and friends.  I thank you for your prayers.  Thank you so much.

35 weeks * picture taken by Eden *

Tonight Eden prayed that the babies will be handsome.  Ruthie always wants to lift up my shirt and kiss the babies.  After she gives my tummy a kiss she says, "the babies are crying."  David is oblivious to my pregnancy and hounds me to have friends over, go to the park, swim at the pool, jump on the tramp, swing on the swings.  He is an active kid.  Paul is nice and has been a BIG help.  He asks me everyday what he can do to help.  That reminds me...I need to tell him to scrub the tub.  

The weather has been wonderful these past two weeks.  We have tried to enjoy it as much as possible.  Our garden is doing better than we expected.  The grass is turning brown, we need rain.  Paul has been running the hose at night, it is hard to hear the water run that long.  I am not looking forward to our water bill.  Sometimes I forget that people have sprinklers.

On Sunday the closing song was "I am a child of God."  It was so tender to see all my children singing!  Ruthie & Eden were the loudest.  It was a precious moment to have our whole family actually singing a song together in sacrament meeting.  

     

Camping

Paul took the kids to the stake family camp out on Mother's Day weekend.  They had fun.  I stayed home and cleaned the house, did laundry, hung pictures and worked on the car seat cushions with Kanien.  It was so nice to have the house ALL to myself.  Best Mother's Day present.  

34 weeks

                                                    Here I am.  34 weeks.  Gigantic!  Huge!  Enormous!  It's embarrassing to go out in public because every look and comment refers to the word, "POP".    

I have had 14 weeks to mentally and physically prepare for these twins.  Am I ready?  No.  In fact, I am becoming more and more anxious.  Everyday I rehearse names over in my head.  We have no names!  What is wrong with us?!   

I have this goal that every night when I go to bed my house will be sparkling clean ready for any situation.  This is not happening.  I am slow.  It's amazing how long it takes me to do things.  I look forward to the day when I can clean a bathroom in 10 minutes.  I apologize right now if you are the person who comes to my house spur of the moment.  I'm sure the bathroom will smell like pee (because with David's aim and Ruthie potty training...that is one area I can't seem to keep smelling fresh).

My mother is coming for a month.  I am counting down the days. 20 days now.  I am more excited to have her come than to deliver the babies.  I know that sounds terrible.  I just am a little nervous about 2 babies coming out!  Especially when the ultrasound tech said their heads are measuring bigger than normal.  Oh boy.

I have been so blessed.  It has been a problem free pregnancy.  I have not had any complications.  I am grateful for that.  I feel like the babies are healthy.  This has definitely been my hardest pregnancy...duh.  Being huge on the outside AND inside is an uncomfortable experience.   

                                                                          Let's talk about the cons:

I have a pinched nerve (at least that's what we think it is...feels like a cracked rib or a hernia) which constantly provides a sharp pain on my right side 24/7.  Going to the bathroom is a joke.  Seriously, I have never experienced this before.  The babies will move and I have to go to the bathroom.  Even if I went 2 minutes prior.  My legs cramp every night and I spend the whole day with sore calves.  I have a mustache from dark spots under my nose.  Sitting straight up is crazy uncomfortable.  The heart burn is terrible.  Any sudden movement makes me sweat and light headed.  My back, oh the aches and pains in my back.  Bending down is comical.  Basically...all the complainants of a woman's last week of pregnancy...only it lasts much longer than a week!       

                                                                        Now let's focus on the pros:

I am having twins!  Can you believe it?!  I seriously can't.

I get nervous and anxious before every delivery.  This is a trial of my faith.  I tend to lack faith and let fear take over.  You'd think a 30 year old women won't be afraid of a baby (or babies to be exact).  Am I strange?

I try to visualize what it will be like having 2 babies.  I just can't.  How do you pick up and hold 2 newborns at the same time?  I need to start giving myself motivational pep talks in the mirror.  Something like...."I am awesome.  I am Shera!  I can do this."

Thanks for the chat.  That's an update from me.  In case you were curious.