The Belly Chronicles: edition 3

I admit that I am slightly tardy with my Belly Chronicle Editions. I hope this one makes up for it! I am now a healthy 19 weeks along in this pregnancy and about half way done! I am so excited about that part! I have filled out nicely as you can see from the belly shot below. When I went in for my 14 week check up, Dr. W measured my belly and told me that I measured like I was 20 weeks along...Yikes. Now I am much bigger then that, and look like I am maybe 6 or 7 months along, when really I am only 4 1/2 months. I already have people asking me when I am due...how depressing, at least I have the excuse it is two, right?!

Here is the Belly. This shot was taken on Monday, Memorial day, when I was 18 1/2 weeks along.

We were able to squeeze in an ultra sound at 18 weeks. This was the "big" ultrasound, so I was nervous and excited. They go over all the babies anatomy and make sure everything looks good. They even check things like the bladder, diaphragm, kidneys and so on. I was amazed at the things the Tech could find. We were a little worried about being seen. Even though I scheduled the ultrasound when Dr.W told me too, the Tech thought it was too early. He said even though I am 18 weeks, because I am having twins they would measure smaller...so he was doubtful he would get all the shots he needed. I suppose he took pity on me, because he decided to have a look see and see what he could find. He looked for the babies sex first, and zoomed in on Baby A...right away he could tell that Baby A is a BOY! He said he had no doubts about his declaration. I am of the mind that nothing is 100% until birth...but for now we think Baby A is a little boy.

Here is Baby A...no privacy!

Baby B gave us a little more trouble. The Tech. could tell it was another BOY...yes, the prediction is 2 BOYS, but Baby B did not want to hold still with both legs open so we could get a good photo opp. He would squirm all over and twist and turn. Finally, towards the end we got a passable shot. It is not as good or clear as Baby A's, but still it certainly looks like a boy. We have never seen anything like that between the legs with our girls!!!

Baby B, we really had to work for this shot, and it is still not the greatest!

So, for now we are calling them both baby boys. I will have another ultra sound in a few weeks at my regular Doctor appointment, and we may have Dr.W check again...just to see if his conclusion is the same as the Ultra sound Tech., But the pictures kind of speak for themselves I think. The Tech. was able to find all the anatomy he needed, and everything was in it's place measuring normal. The Tech. and Dr.W both thought they found a sac barrier. It is just real hard to see because everything is so squished. So we "think" the babies are in separate sacs. However, the Tech. was only able to find one placenta...which means the babies are most likely identical. Of course, he wouldn't tell us with 100% certainty, but to be fraternal twins there must be two placentas....and since I only have one, well we draw our own conclusions! Both babies look perfect and healthy! We really can't ask for more. Baby B gave us more trouble then Baby A, he kept twisting and turning...disrupting the photo's the tech. wanted to take. All in all my ultra sound lasted almost 2 hours! It was fun to see the babies though, and to know that at this point everything looks great. I have started to feel them move around. It is not too consistent yet, and I am just now starting to be able to tell "who is who" when the babies move. I feel them at least once a day though...usually more. Well, stay tuned for the next edition, where I am sure I will be much rounder!

Cora's Birthday Celebrations

Please pardon the tardiness of this post. It seems like I keep playing catch up lately, not enough time for all I need or want to do. I am grateful though, hoping fall comes very quickly!

Cora's birthday was on May 17th. Holding with tradition, she got to pick what she wanted for dinner...and picked Chuck E Cheese. Because her birthday fell on a Sunday this year, we went to Chuck's on Saturday. Cora got a three day long celebration! The girls had a blast, like always, and Mom and Dad were ready to leave when it was time! On Sunday was Cora's actual birthday. She wanted a chocolate princess cake from the store (she was adamant that it be chocolate all over, and from the store), and Macaroni & Cheese for dinner. So it was a very easy birthday for Mom, for which I am grateful. We had fun eating cake, ice cream, opening presents and we watched "Wall-e". On Monday she had some friends come over for a little pool party. She was so excited, this was her first ever "friend" party. It went well, except it started to sprinkle during the cake eating. The kids all dashed inside like they were going to melt from the rain. True to desert living...the rain lasted minutes and the kids were back outside. I think she had a great 4th Birthday!

Cora's Birthday!

Corinne Cate, aka Cora, was born on May 17, 2005 at 12:40pm. My labor with her went so fast, and mostly without complications. She was born slick as a wick, the doctor said. She is our "little" peanut. Even though she is big by some standards, she is our smallest baby. She weighed in at 8 pounds 3 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. We thought she was as cute as a button. She has always been the sweetest baby and kid...always loving and worried about others. She loved to cuddle, give kisses and hugs and just be loved on. When she was about 9 or 10 months old she started smiling whenever we got the camera out. We called it her "cheesy" smile because she looked so cheesy. It was the cutest thing. half her face would kind of squint, while the other half smiled. It looked like some contorted wink, but she did it on cue whenever the camera came out. She thought she was so pretty...and she is. We love having her in our family...and have always felt she is our little angel.

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day. Matt and the girls really go all out of their way to make me feel special. Matt came home Friday with a bouquet of Roses for me ( what a rock star...that's the second bouquet he has gotten me in the last two weeks). He also got me some way comfy, non-restrictive lounge wear for evenings and bed. Oh how I needed them. All my previous lounge pants were digging into me and getting way too tight. I should be able to wear these new ones all through the rest of my pregnancy since they are XXL...perfect, they don't dig in anywhere! I was also surprised with breakfast in bed on Mother's day. The girls love doing this for me...but haven't been able to the past couple of years. So with Matt home, the kids joyfully jumped back into the tradition. There was even a rose on the tray in a vase! The girls all made me beautiful pictures and cards, and Matt bought me some delicious chocolate. Later on in the day I came home after Sacrament meeting because my Grandpa came out to visit me, and my brother (who is out here doing some training) came over to visit too. It was a great afternoon, with great visiting, and we had a lovely dinner together. Matt even cleaned up and did all the dishes for me afterwards. It was a wonderful Day. Thanks Matt and girls for making me feel so loved and special. I sure love you guys!!

Legoland!!

Back in February we had bought discount tickets to Legoland in San Diego. These tickets included a second day free, but we didn't use it at that time. We had 90 days to use the second day before it expired. Well on this past Friday we realized that our free second day expired this week (today actually!). We just couldn't pass up a free day at Legoland, the kids have such a blast there. So what did we do? We took a day trip down to San Diego,CA just to go to Legoland. We are insane! But oh so much fun! We had already been through the whole park, so we got to spend time doing our favorites. Anya went on her beloved Dragon roller coaster 3 times! We spent some more time exploring Lego Mini land, where they have built replicas of famous cities like New York City, New Orleans, Las Vegas and Washington D.C. . Cora was old enough to drive a car this time, and oh her looks of concentration. She passed, and got her driver's license. She was so proud, coming of the ride yelling "look mom, I did it all myself!". It was also warm enough this time to spend time in the water area. It was just too cold when we came in February. Legoland has a pretty expansive water area called "Pirates Shores". There is a huge Pirate ship replica that shoots and spills water everywhere, with several kid water slides attached. The "little" ones can play and a much more subdued splash area, which is where Hannah and Cora hung out mostly. There is also a mini log ride and this pirate ship splash ride where you are in the ship and control water guns. You can squirt people on shore...but people on shore have access to squirt guns too and can squirt you. It was pretty fun, and the kids were excited to finally explore it! All in all It was a fun day with lots of good food involved. I think the insanity was worth it!

Happy Birthday Hannah!

On May 2, 2009 Hannah celebrated her 7th birthday. I am a little behind in my updating...I know, but we had a crazy fun filled day! To kick off the celebrating, we let Hannah have a little party with a few friends. She invited 3 friends over for a pajama movie party that started at 10am. I am still bummed that I forgot to take pictures at her party, but the girls had a great time watching a flick in their p.j.'s and eating movie candy!

After her friend went home we unwrapped a few gifts that relatives had sent. Hannah, a budding reader who loves all things sweet and girly, loved the two books that Aunt Trudy had sent.

This gift got the best reaction I think. Grandma Overton had given her a "costume" necklace with a huge pink jewel mounted on it. Hannah just loved this, immediately wanted to wear it, and didn't take it off the rest of the day!

After opening gifts at home Hannah chose to go to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner. The girls had a great time, as always! Hannah got lucky this time and won lots of tickets. She also is a scavenger and found lots of tickets by looking around on the ground...silly girl! Anyway, she ended up with over 300 tickets to spend at the prize counter.

Hannah was real easy on me this year. She really wanted a chocolate cake from Chuck E. Cheese. Matt and I decided it was a great idea, and Hannah got her special cake.

She LOVED her cake. It was so chocolaty that Hannah was spinning after the first few bites...but true to her motto, she did not waste a crumb!

It was a great day. I think Hannah felt special...and was very grateful to have daddy here this year...since he hasn't been here since her 4th birthday. (poor guy, missed all our birthdays twice)

Happy Birthday Hannah Banana....hope you had a great day!

Hannah Elise

I am way behind, but on May 2 Hannah celebrated her 7th birthday. I still can't believe that she is 7, it seems like only yesterday...! She entered our world on May 2, 2002 at 12:20 p.m. . She was a healthy 8 pounds 6 ounces, and 20 inches long. She is lovingly called our little "Buckeye souvenir", since she was born in Columbus, Ohio. We thought she was beautiful, and within a couple of hours we noticed that she had one dimple in her left chubby cheek. She has dubbed it "her hole in her cheek". She was a very good baby, very content and so smiley. She had big, drool, smiles for anyone and everyone. When she was 6 months old she discovered her vocals. She would make this loud screaming sound, just for fun. It was so grating we called her the "banshee", because that is what we though she sounded like. She has been very quiet since, and has a very boisterous voice. About the time she hit 10 months old she developed her opinions. We remember her crawling around after Anya hollering, " no, Anya, no". It was so cute, and so unnatural looking. Her Grandma Jeppson's favorite story is about the time we were in a Taco Bell restaurant when Hannah had just turned one. A tray of food had been set down on the table in front of Hannah, and she grabbed it and pulled toward her. I pushed the tray back away, and Hannah grabbed it again and pulled it toward her. I then pushed it back away again, and Hannah grabs it, pulls it and yells "NO, MINE". That pretty much sums up our Hannah Banana. She has very clear ideas and opinions about how her world she work, and don't try to tell her different. We love her a lot, and we love the spice she brings to our family. We feel so blessed to be a part of Miss Hannah Elise.