Here is one of the twins with their ISR buddies!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Family of Swimmers
We just recently had the babies enrolled along with our older two in Infant Swimming Resource lessons (ISR). We started back in May with Declan doing his 2 week refresher. The twins took 4 weeks from the end of May until the first two weeks in June and Elizabeth did her 2 week refresher the first two weeks in June also. So proud of all 4 of my ISR graduates! We were lucky enough to have the amazing Brooke Mayo , come take our family pictures underwater!
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Gift of Giving Life is now available for purchase!
I am so excited right now! The book that has Elizabeth's Birth Story in it has FINALLY been released for purchase! I preordered mine months ago and cannot wait to receive it! You can visit The Gift of giving life to purchase your own copy!
One Sentence Summary: A spiritual look at pregnancy and birth through inspiring essays and birth stories from dozens of LDS women, women in the scriptures, words of the prophets and other spiritual texts;The Gift of Giving Life if the essential pregnancy companion for every LDS woman and any woman of faith who would like to discover the divinity and gift of giving life.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Twin's pictures by Brooke Mayo
We had the amazing Brooke Mayo come over to document the twins turning one month. It is amazing to watch Brooke work. She comes with nothing more than her camera and a few props and just goes with her imagination. It's awesome to really watch her, especially when you are used to posed pictures in a studio setting. Brooke is the one who took Elizabeth and Declan's ISR under water pictures. She also is the photographer and Author of Diving Doggies: A celebration of Play underwater. A must read for all dog lovers! Amazing doggie pics underwater! She has her next book Shake, Rattle, and Shoot: The Business of Baby Photography set to release soon.
This family picture couldn't of captured us any better. It's so hard to get everyone on the same page and doing the same thing.
We got a surprise email from Brooke Sunday night asking us to come let her try to get some sleeping shots of the babies and play around since the weather was so nice. We ended up getting no sleeping shots as you just cannot move these two without them waking up (I know this all too well).The pictures turned out amazing as always even though these two weren't the most cooperative.
We cannot wait to see how Brooke captures them through their first year!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Cullen and Amelia's Birth Story
October 20th I was set to be induced.I had woke up around 3am that morning with my contractions being pretty consistent and i couldn't help but wonder if labor was going to start on it's own. I got out of bed around 4am and ate breakfast, then just played on-line waiting to get everyone up to go to the hospital.
We were supposed to be at the hospital around 6:30am....we got there a little after 7am. I met my nurse (Amy), she was awesome! She hooked me up to the monitors, got my IV in place and a guy came in to take some blood work. I was still having contractions, but nothing major or unbearable. Jeremy and I just sat and waited for my OB's and my midwife Ashley to show up. Dr. Keeler was the first to check on me, then Ashley showed up. Dr. Moncla got there and they checked me, I was just 3cm dilated. Dr. Moncla broke mt water on Baby A and then we just waited. That was at 9:15am. At 10:15am the started pitocin at a 2 and the next time Ashley checked me I was at a 4. I was hoping to be further along, but Ashley reassured things tend to progress fast once you hit 4. Dr. Moncla came in and explained to me that when it was time to push I would be taken to the OR to deliver, just in case issues arose. He also explained that since Baby B had decided to turn breech, instead of delivering her breech, he'd rather (after A was born) reach up and flip her heads down. He also suggested an Epidural for that procedure and for a back up in case one or both of the babies needed to get out fast. I wasn't in a lot of pain from contractions and everyone knew I had said no to an epidural the whole pregnancy, so no one pushed anymore about it. They then all left Jeremy and I alone to let me labor and see what my body would do. I was getting so hungry and tired from being up since 3am. I was just hoping to sleep a little bit, but the contractions were just close enough that when i would start to fall asleep one would wake me up. The more I thought about sleeping and Dr. Moncla having to manually flip B after A was out. I decided an epidural might be what I needed (I know total shock to all who know me and how against them I have always been). When my nurse Amy came in I asked her about getting it and she said she'd call down and get the anesthesiologist. Well 30 mins later and still hadn't seen the anesthesiologist, contractions were stronger and closer, but I was not in any unbearable pain still. When Amy came back in I asked her about it once again, she left to go "check" on it. Ashley comes in and says " Amy says you are wanting an epidural, is that right? Are you sure?" I explained my reasoning behind wanting to get it mainly so i could get some rest and i didn't particularly want to feel Dr. Moncla flip Baby B. Ashley said "if I was sure I wanted it" she would call down and order it, and she did. (I think it's funny because I had to ask 3 times for something most people claim are forced on them) I want to say it was around Noon when the anesthesiologist got to me and put in the epidural. The numbing needle was actually more painful than any of the contractions I had been having. Instantly my legs started to tingle, but the epidural was so different for me than all the horror stories I had heard. The numbness was equal through out my whole body and i could still move me legs and change positions to get comfortable. The only way I could tell i was having a contraction was because I could feel pressure in my rib cage, otherwise I felt nothing and I managed to fall asleep.I was checked again around 1:15pm and Ashley said I was at at 7. Ashley was going to go back to the office, but told Amy to call her when things changed. The next time Amy checked me I was complete and she told me she could feel baby A's ear. Once Dr. Moncla and Ashley got there, everyone got ready and I was rolled into the OR. It was a really fast delivery. Baby Boy A was out in 3 pushes. Ashley caught him and instantly put him on my chest. Then they broke Baby B's water. Dr. Moncla reached up to flip her, but she had already flipped heads down herself. After they got the monitor on her and Ashley was getting set up to deliver her...Ashley yells "whoa, stop pushing". Baby B was on her way out and Ashley wasn't even ready yet. Once she got set up they had me push again. In just a few pushes she was out. Ashley also laid her on my chest beside her brother.
Cullen Ezra was born at 3:28pm. He was 6lbs 3 oz and 19 1/2" long. Amelia Catherine was born at 3:34pm. She was 6lbs 14 oz and 19 1/2" long.
I am very happy with the hospital, the staff, my nurse, midwife, Dr. Keeler and Dr. Moncla. This birth was a totally new experience for me, but I do not regret for one minute having a hospital birth. I have birthed in three different ways and totally backwards from how most do it. I had my unassisted home birth first, my midwife attended home birth second and I had my medical hospital birth last. All three labors and births went great and were super easy....so no horror birth stories from me! I just feel blessed, I was able to birth how I wanted and with the people I wanted in each case.
We were supposed to be at the hospital around 6:30am....we got there a little after 7am. I met my nurse (Amy), she was awesome! She hooked me up to the monitors, got my IV in place and a guy came in to take some blood work. I was still having contractions, but nothing major or unbearable. Jeremy and I just sat and waited for my OB's and my midwife Ashley to show up. Dr. Keeler was the first to check on me, then Ashley showed up. Dr. Moncla got there and they checked me, I was just 3cm dilated. Dr. Moncla broke mt water on Baby A and then we just waited. That was at 9:15am. At 10:15am the started pitocin at a 2 and the next time Ashley checked me I was at a 4. I was hoping to be further along, but Ashley reassured things tend to progress fast once you hit 4. Dr. Moncla came in and explained to me that when it was time to push I would be taken to the OR to deliver, just in case issues arose. He also explained that since Baby B had decided to turn breech, instead of delivering her breech, he'd rather (after A was born) reach up and flip her heads down. He also suggested an Epidural for that procedure and for a back up in case one or both of the babies needed to get out fast. I wasn't in a lot of pain from contractions and everyone knew I had said no to an epidural the whole pregnancy, so no one pushed anymore about it. They then all left Jeremy and I alone to let me labor and see what my body would do. I was getting so hungry and tired from being up since 3am. I was just hoping to sleep a little bit, but the contractions were just close enough that when i would start to fall asleep one would wake me up. The more I thought about sleeping and Dr. Moncla having to manually flip B after A was out. I decided an epidural might be what I needed (I know total shock to all who know me and how against them I have always been). When my nurse Amy came in I asked her about getting it and she said she'd call down and get the anesthesiologist. Well 30 mins later and still hadn't seen the anesthesiologist, contractions were stronger and closer, but I was not in any unbearable pain still. When Amy came back in I asked her about it once again, she left to go "check" on it. Ashley comes in and says " Amy says you are wanting an epidural, is that right? Are you sure?" I explained my reasoning behind wanting to get it mainly so i could get some rest and i didn't particularly want to feel Dr. Moncla flip Baby B. Ashley said "if I was sure I wanted it" she would call down and order it, and she did. (I think it's funny because I had to ask 3 times for something most people claim are forced on them) I want to say it was around Noon when the anesthesiologist got to me and put in the epidural. The numbing needle was actually more painful than any of the contractions I had been having. Instantly my legs started to tingle, but the epidural was so different for me than all the horror stories I had heard. The numbness was equal through out my whole body and i could still move me legs and change positions to get comfortable. The only way I could tell i was having a contraction was because I could feel pressure in my rib cage, otherwise I felt nothing and I managed to fall asleep.I was checked again around 1:15pm and Ashley said I was at at 7. Ashley was going to go back to the office, but told Amy to call her when things changed. The next time Amy checked me I was complete and she told me she could feel baby A's ear. Once Dr. Moncla and Ashley got there, everyone got ready and I was rolled into the OR. It was a really fast delivery. Baby Boy A was out in 3 pushes. Ashley caught him and instantly put him on my chest. Then they broke Baby B's water. Dr. Moncla reached up to flip her, but she had already flipped heads down herself. After they got the monitor on her and Ashley was getting set up to deliver her...Ashley yells "whoa, stop pushing". Baby B was on her way out and Ashley wasn't even ready yet. Once she got set up they had me push again. In just a few pushes she was out. Ashley also laid her on my chest beside her brother.
Cullen Ezra was born at 3:28pm. He was 6lbs 3 oz and 19 1/2" long. Amelia Catherine was born at 3:34pm. She was 6lbs 14 oz and 19 1/2" long.
I am very happy with the hospital, the staff, my nurse, midwife, Dr. Keeler and Dr. Moncla. This birth was a totally new experience for me, but I do not regret for one minute having a hospital birth. I have birthed in three different ways and totally backwards from how most do it. I had my unassisted home birth first, my midwife attended home birth second and I had my medical hospital birth last. All three labors and births went great and were super easy....so no horror birth stories from me! I just feel blessed, I was able to birth how I wanted and with the people I wanted in each case.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
September Update
It will not be too much longer before we are welcoming our two new little ones. This pregnancy has really breezed by for me. I guess because I am so busy with Elizabeth and Declan everyday.
Elizabeth started Pre-K last week at Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church. She goes Monday - Thursday from 9am- 12pm. She LOVES school and her teachers Ms. Rose and Ms. Lori! She has also started back at Atlantic Dance with Ms. Victoria, for Ballet and Tap. All she talks about is getting a costume and dancing on stage again :)
Declan is really enjoying his alone time with me while his sissy is in school. He is always super excited to go get her from school though. I guess 3 hours a day without her is just enough alone time for him.
I am 34 weeks pregnant today. I was told yesterday by my OB, I am literally a ticking time bomb and these two could arrive any day now. Very exciting, yet really scary when we have been thinking Nov 1st at least. My OB doesn't like his multiple moms to go past 38 weeks so these two will be October babies. I'm just praying to make it past 36 weeks and go in labor on my own around 37-38 weeks. We'll see what these two have planned. As of now I have bi-weekly appointments. Mondays I go in for a NST (Non Stress Test). This is where they hook me up two a machine and monitor both babies and contractions. The test should only take 20 mins, but Baby B (girl) always manages to get away from the monitor or either Baby A (boy) likes to get in front of her or move her. I also go on Thursdays for another NST and my regular appointment and ultrasound to check heart beats, fluid level and growth. Right now both are heads down and all is well. They are growing great. At my 31 week growth scan they Estimated Baby A to be 4 lbs 3 oz and Baby B to be 4lbs 6 oz. I don't think I'll be having preemies by any means...lol.
The kids are really excited for Fall. They have been begging for weeks now, that we get in the attic and pull down all our Fall/Halloween decorations. They are really excited to be picking out their costumes, getting ready for their new brother and sister and to go trick or treating.
Jeremy has been racing VXCS. This year hasn't been as great for him thanks to no time and quad issues. I do think he finally has worked out the kinks with the quad though. His last race for this year will be at the October (we're not positive if he will actually make that one though). He also picked up a YZ125 (dirt bike) to cross train on. The kids keep telling them they want dirt bikes to race also. Looks like they got the love of racing from him...lol.
Elizabeth started Pre-K last week at Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church. She goes Monday - Thursday from 9am- 12pm. She LOVES school and her teachers Ms. Rose and Ms. Lori! She has also started back at Atlantic Dance with Ms. Victoria, for Ballet and Tap. All she talks about is getting a costume and dancing on stage again :)
Declan is really enjoying his alone time with me while his sissy is in school. He is always super excited to go get her from school though. I guess 3 hours a day without her is just enough alone time for him.
I am 34 weeks pregnant today. I was told yesterday by my OB, I am literally a ticking time bomb and these two could arrive any day now. Very exciting, yet really scary when we have been thinking Nov 1st at least. My OB doesn't like his multiple moms to go past 38 weeks so these two will be October babies. I'm just praying to make it past 36 weeks and go in labor on my own around 37-38 weeks. We'll see what these two have planned. As of now I have bi-weekly appointments. Mondays I go in for a NST (Non Stress Test). This is where they hook me up two a machine and monitor both babies and contractions. The test should only take 20 mins, but Baby B (girl) always manages to get away from the monitor or either Baby A (boy) likes to get in front of her or move her. I also go on Thursdays for another NST and my regular appointment and ultrasound to check heart beats, fluid level and growth. Right now both are heads down and all is well. They are growing great. At my 31 week growth scan they Estimated Baby A to be 4 lbs 3 oz and Baby B to be 4lbs 6 oz. I don't think I'll be having preemies by any means...lol.
The kids are really excited for Fall. They have been begging for weeks now, that we get in the attic and pull down all our Fall/Halloween decorations. They are really excited to be picking out their costumes, getting ready for their new brother and sister and to go trick or treating.
Jeremy has been racing VXCS. This year hasn't been as great for him thanks to no time and quad issues. I do think he finally has worked out the kinks with the quad though. His last race for this year will be at the October (we're not positive if he will actually make that one though). He also picked up a YZ125 (dirt bike) to cross train on. The kids keep telling them they want dirt bikes to race also. Looks like they got the love of racing from him...lol.
Monday, May 16, 2011
First post!
Finally my first post! I've had this account for well over 3 years, but have always been just a lurker and follower of other blogs. I try to keep most of my family and friends updated with the things in our life via email, Facebook and photo sharing sites, but it has just gotten to be too much for me here recently. So where to begin, maybe a catch up for those who are new or have just been out of touch for awhile.
Jeremy and I just celebrated our 8th Wedding Anniversary on May 3rd. It's crazy how fast those 8 years have flown by and how our lives have changed soooooooooo much in those 8 years.
Our first born, Elizabeth turned 4 on April 2nd. We had a nice joint party for her and her brother at Children at Play (Children's Museum) with mostly family and a few friends. Elizabeth has just started attending her preschool. She has one week left, then she will graduate to the 4 year old class. She loves school and her new teachers and friends. I'm sure she will be heart broken when she realizes she is out for the summer. She also has been attending Ballet and Tap classes since September 2010 and her first recital will be the first weekend in June!
Our Little man Declan, just turned 2 on April 19th. He is not scared of anything, quite the daredevil and has an awesome personality and sense of humor. He had been attending Kindermusik on Thursdays and really loves music and instruments.
We found out at the end of February that we were expecting again. I had my first appointment on March 28th and found out via the u/s that we are expecting TWINS!!!! We were both very shocked, but at the same time we are happy and feel so blessed.
My due date we are going with November 1st, but I will say Nov 4th before I even consider myself "due". The second u/s I had at almost 14 weeks (May 2nd) had them measuring being "due" October 25th. Baby A is quite the show boat and has no issues showing it's self. Baby B likes to keep it's back to us or lay on it's side.
Baby A - Smiling and waving
Baby B - backside
I had been battling with my allergies for well over a month, but ended up with a sinus infection. I dealt with the pain for 3 days before I finally got an appointment with my OB. When I got there I got an awesome surprise.......a u/s to check the heart beats! To my surprise we were able to tell that Baby A is in fact a BOY! Baby B was still being modest, but we believe B is a Girl. We saw no identifiable boy parts , but judging by the heart beats being so similar 140 and 146, my OB is not ruling out B may be a boy also....so even though B looks like a girl....we will wait little longer before we start buying anything pink.
Baby A - Boy part pic
Baby B - possible Girl
Well this pretty much sums us up right now! Hopefully I will stay consistent with updating.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)