First day of school

Eden- 1st grade

David- kindergarten

Celebration of school starting.  6 & 3 were the only candles we had, the kids wanted to blow out candles. 

                                                                                      Father's blessing

                                                                     Ruthie didn't want to be left out.

 We all had a GREAT day!  Eden and David ran to the bus stop.  They were first in line.  They were on the bus before I even realized it.  I waved at them through the window.  I was pleased to see them sitting by eachother.  At 3pm they came running off the bus with smiles.  When asked how school was:
David: "I don't have homework.  I have Mrs. Koch.  I made 3 friends.  Their girls."
Eden: "We went over the rules...but I already know the rules."

6 weeks

Ben squirms and grunts.  He has quick short breaths and can never really decide if he wants to cry.  He will stir for awhile before deciding to screams.  Sam is abrasive.  He is either crying or not...there is no in between.  

We have reached the famous 6 week mark!  The week you receive medical clearance from your doctor.  The week you can enter the world of work & daycare. 6 weeks also brings increased fussiness.  You are not only allowed but expected to now come out in public.  Am I ready?  Yes and no.  I have been inside for awhile, some fresh air will be nice.  I am not ready to greet strangers who smoother my babies with germs and questions.  I am not ready to hear the familiar comments: "twins, are they identical?", "You are busy", "Are these all yours?".  I feel like everyone stares at me.  Listens to my every word and watches my every move.  I know I am being sensitive.  I am not friendly.  I do not want to talk to strangers.  I don't want to chat with the lady in the grocery line...because I am trying to keep track of Eden dancing, David sneaking toys in the cart, Ruthie opening gum and 2 babies from crying. 

Having children has made me less tolerate.  I am not as patient and considerate as I used to be.  In fact, I'm pretty self absorbed at the moment.  One day I will be able to look above my own self and see others.  Right now I am surviving and that has to be good enough for me.

I am ready to tackle another 6 weeks.

life as a twin

                                       

                                                                                   This is how they sleep.

  
 Late at night, having some awake time.  Waiting to get changed.  There is a lot of crying as a twin.  Especially since they are on the same schedule.  They sleep, eat, burp, poop and cry at the same time.  I have gotten pretty good at feeding and burping them at the same time...but it's hectic.  One of them always has to wait.  Crying is part of being a twin.  Lots and lots of crying.     

Ben is wide awake.  If I put them next to each other.  Same will try and eat Ben's face. 

This is what happens when water meets dirt and Ruth is unsupervised.  David was the mastermind behind this mess...at least they were playing together nicely for an hour. 

4 weeks old

Sam

Ben

4 weeks

Alone

Yesterday I took all 5 kids to the park by myself.  It was the first time I have taken them all out.  Besides the doctors and one quick visit to Target this is this first time the twins have been out.  It took me all day to prepare...mentally for this outing.  We were suppose to go around lunch time but really we went at 6pm.  Twins are just as horrible as I imagined.  I love my twins.  I really am grateful for them. However...it's pretty terrible.  VERY time consuming and VERY overwhelming when you have 3 younger children who are also demanding. 

I am surviving.  Some days better than others.  I have a great support system here, truly heaven sent angels who lift my burdens.  God bless good friends. 

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.