First Day at Church

I was getting cabin fever and decided to take the girls to church for the first time a couple of weeks ago.  I was nervous about the amount of attention they'd be getting and didn't want any hands-on viewing so I stayed for the first hour and left.  Nursing twins in the mother's lounge at church wasn't something I was ready to tackle yet (but have since, even without my pillow!). 

I decided its pretty pointless to dress babies for church since they end up being covered by a blanket the entire time anyway, but I couldn't resist putting them in these cute skirts!

Sophie and Jonah love their little sisters and take every opportunity they can get to snuggle, hug, or kiss them.  Tummy time is a great time for that!

Eloise and Pearl still love to be close to each other.  I'm pretty sure they can sense when the other is not next to them and they'll sometimes wake up after I've taken one out of the bassinet before the other.  I can't wait to see what good friends they'll be!  They're almost too big to fit into this bouncy seat together but it sure is cute!

Busy

Things have certainly been that.  It's really a happy busy, though.  I'm truly happy and feel so blessed for all the gifts I've been given.  Jonah and Sophie have been troopers with all the changes going on around here and really love their little sisters.  It seems I'm always feeding the babies when the kids come to see me and I'm sure they're eager to have some time with me to themselves (or not ;) ).

Eloise and Pearl are very good babies.  In fact, I think Heavenly Father made them easy (knock on wood) because they came in a pair and there are double the duties.  I'm grateful for that!  They sleep pretty much non-stop and I'm hoping their easy temperaments don't change and I don't have to swallow all my words.  They hardly cry at all and really only make a peep when they're hungry.  They do win the award, however, for being the LOUDEST grunters and squeakers.  They are loud when they eat, sleep, and poop!  We've had a few nights where they take turns being the grunter and the other sleeps without a sound.  We're getting used to the noise but still look forward to those nights when they're in their own room and sleep through the night.

Yesterday the girls had their 2 week appointment and they're gaining weight and looking great!  Eloise was 7lbs 3oz and Pearl was 6lbs 14oz.  Pearl was a bit longer than Eloise.  Eloise will be having an ultrasound at 6 weeks to check for hip displasia, something more common in breech babies (who knew?).  

Here are a few pictures of what it's been like around here (minus the occasional tantrum from Sophie or Jonah...because who has the patience and thought to get the camera in a moment like that??).

Eloise's First Bath

Pearl's First Bath

Where I spend most of my time.

Big Brother

The marvels of the Sleepy Wrap

Snuggles in the bouncy seat.  We had them sleep like this for the first week and a half.  They love to be together.

Eloise

Eloise and Pearl

Eloise and Pearl

Eloise and Pearl

Pearl and Eloise

 I'm no newborn photographer but I wanted to take advantage of newborn sleepiness and lack of baby acne so I thought I'd give it a try.  At least I got a couple. :)

To Be A Mother

I've been thinking lately how strange it is that I almost have as many kids as my own mom has.  It's a weird feeling.  You can never truly appreciate what a mother or parent does until you have kids of your own.  I often ask my mom how she did it and she looks at me and says, "I don't know.  I think I've blocked it from my memory!"  Maybe it's the same thing that happens after you have a baby.  Eventually you forget the pain and misery and only remember holding that newborn baby in your arms.  Nature has a strange way of making you go through it all again!

I can't say enough good things about my mom.  She has truly been a rock in my life.  I always know I can go to her with my problems and she'll know just what to say to make it better.  I hope I can be like that for my kids.  She's my best friend (along with my sister and most of all, my Honey...I guess you could say my whole family are my best friends!). 

I think I have the greatest job in all the world.  I relish being a mommy.  My kids bring me more joy than anything else in life.  It's both trying and ever-so rewarding.  Each night after we put the kids to bed, Jon and I relate the day's experiences to each other and it's usually all to do with the kids and the funny things they said or did.  I'm happy to say that all frustration melts when I open their bedroom doors after they've fallen asleep and I see them lying there peacefully.  Sometimes I wish I could climb right in with them and snuggle them to my heart's content!

Motherhood is also wonderful because I get to be a mother with the best father around.  Jon is the best partner to have in raising my kids.  Sundays are a difficult day to provide any pampering but he gave it his best even when he was feeling miserable himself!!  He truly sacrifices so much for me and the kids.  I love him.

Last night, just before the kids got in bed, I got the best Mother's Day card ever made:

The Weekend of all weekends

We had a very busy week this week with Jon's graduation from the BYU MBA program (hey-oh!!!), the Easter egg hunt, Easter, and spending time with family.  Jon had finals up until the day before he graduated so we really didn't get to breathe until Sunday afternoon when we ate Easter dinner with my family at Laura's house.

Jon's graduation was at 8am and he had to be there at 7am to line up with the rest of the graduates which left me with gathering the kids, toys, candy, movies, etc. to keep them busy during the long ceremony.  I parked as close as I could to the Marriott Center where the graduation was held but I still ended up carrying Sophie on my hip, dragging Jonah by one hand, and carrying two kid's backpacks, a diaper bag, and my camera in the other arm for about a half mile uphill.  I got many pitiful looks on the way up and even one lady cheered me on as if I were finishing a marathon.  That's kind of what it felt like, too!

The ceremony was beautiful and I cried the second I sat down long enough to look at all the people gathered.  My mom and dad drove all the way from Colorado the night before to be there for us and that meant the world to me. 

Thank goodness for snacks, candy, iPods, and grandparents to distract.  They really were very good though.

Jon's dad is a professor in the Humanities department at BYU and had his robes on from his alma mater on Saturday.

After the ceremony, we had a little family luncheon at our house and basked in the graduation glory and relief.

Saturday brought the annual neighborhood Easter egg hunt and the kids had a blast.  Jonah kept saying he wanted to get at least 60 eggs (the limit was 5).  You can imagine future soccer games in our family by the display at the hunt:  me screaming, "Go, Go!!  Faster!!  Look here, here!!" and then hurriedly ushering them back to the starting line where the first 3 kids to collect their 5 eggs one a solid chocolate bunny.  Sophie took third and Jonah took First in his age group.  I was so proud!! ;)  Jon said he always knew I was a pageant mom.

On Sunday, we packed up our homemade rolls and chocolate mousse and headed to Laura's for Easter dinner.  We dyed some eggs while the funeral potatoes finished cooking.  The kids lost interest in about 3 minutes but Jon and I enjoy dying them even more so we didn't mind.

My dear sister broke out her scissors and master hands and gave Sophie, Jonah and I new hairdos.  I'm forever in Laura's debt for the constant mullet prevention she does with my growing-out phase.  

Before

 

After (ADORABLE!)

Before

After (tough guy, I can hardly get him to smile anymore unless I say, "Boogers and Poop!!" before snapping the shot)

And at last, I had Jon take another belly shot this week.  I had my 27 week appointment on Friday and the girls sounded good.  They've been moving a ton and often keep mommy up at night or during attempted naps.  I'm measuring at 36 weeks so you can imagine my eagerness to be done (even though I still have 10 or 11 weeks left).  We went to the mall on Saturday and one little girl pulled her mom's sleeve and said, "Whoa!! Mom, look!!!"  Then one kid in primary said, "Wow! Sister Bush has a ball in her shirt!"  Yes, thank you, kids!  Honestly though, I didn't mind.  I think the same thing each time I look in the mirror.

27 Weeks with Twins

37 Weeks with Sophie

It really was the most wonderful weekend (sugar highs and crashes included).  And now a tribute to my awesome husband:  Jonathan worked so hard these past 2 years and even before his MBA to make sure he was doing the right thing and going to the right school and getting the best experience possible to support our family.  I watched him take on challenge after challenge and he morphed into an even more amazing husband and father than he already was.  I'm so proud to have him next to me and am overwhelmed by gratitude to our Heavenly Father who, no doubt, made miracles to get us through school.  Our parents and family are also indispensable in our success these last few years and we owe them big time!  I love you Jonathan!

Staying Busy

Every once in a while the Good Mom in me comes out and I try to do fun activities with my kids.  So often these past few months my kids have only had the company of the Crabby Mom.  Here are a few things we've been up to:

Bunny Ears!

This provided hours of fun for my kids.  We saw these on the Sprout channel and I thought they were so cute and decided I'd try to be patient enough to make them with my kids.  They hopped around for days afterwords, chasing each other and laughing (a welcome sound at any time).

Wrestling Daddy!

Poor Jon has been absolutely slammed with finals and projects and homework.  I'm sure he's wanted nothing more than to come home to his bed and sleep but being the amazing dad he is, he let's his kids climb all over him and wrestles with them for a good half while I finish up dinner.  I've been fairly fragile lately, keeping me from the more aggressive playing with my kids.  My belly is sensitive and in the way and my back feels like it's about to snap in half.  Luckily, I just purchased a maternity belt which should make these last few months a bit easier.

"Camping"!

I'm going to pretend it's the weather and my belly keeping us from a real camping trip (instead of the real reason I'm now terrified of camping with my kids).  This was a great way to ease the seemingly constant stressful atmosphere in our home and the kids had a blast!  The best part about it, besides the s'mores with dark chocolate, was the fact that we got to go inside, have baths, and sleep in our own beds!

The first of many this year

You might think there was something going around the Green/Bush families when you hear the number of babies joining our families this year.  On the Green side, 4 of the 5 of us girls are pregnant.  That means there will be 5 new babies this year, starting with Audra who is due in just a few days.  Then there's me and the twins, Laura and her second baby, and Annie with her third in October!  For the Bush side, we've got Melissa who just had a beautiful baby boy this week, me (with the two), and Natalie with her fourth in August. 

Grand Total: 7 babies

My sweet sister-in-law, Melissa, had her sixth little bundle of joy a few days ago on the 30th of March.  He is so precious.  Melissa found out after a few months of her pregnancy had passed that the baby had Down Syndrome.  He also has clubbed feet, meaning his feet rotate inward at his ankles (the cutest little feet you've ever seen).  Needless to say, it's been a difficult journey for her and her family to adjust to the reality but what a blessing that little boy is!  He's been in the NICU since he was born trying to gain his strength and things are looking really good for him.  Jon and I were able to drive up to the hospital yesterday to visit them and to see the baby (he's still nameless ;) ).  Melissa had requested that I be there at the birth to document for them but that little guy decided to come a few days earlier than scheduled!  

Being in the NICU was a new experience for me.  If you've never visited one before, here are a few things I observed.  First, you have to scrub in (yes, I was living my Grey's Anatomy fantasy).  Being in the NICU is an emotional thing.  All of these babies wouldn't have had a chance 100 years ago.  It's a miraculous thing.  It's kind of a solemn, peaceful place with dimmed lights and angel nurses tending to these little, tiny humans--some with feet no bigger than my big toe.  I'm grateful that those babies and families have the second chance a NICU offers.  I also know that I don't ever want my babies to have to go there.  It's emotionally draining and difficult to see your tiny baby with countless tubes and wires connected to their little body.  It seems unfair.  Looking back on the births of my two kids, I'll always be grateful for those first hours I could spend immediately after birth holding them next to my skin and nursing them and enjoying them.  With NICU patients, most are whisked away immediately after birth to start treatments, often without the mom ever touching them.

Baby McKrola was born on March 30th, 5lbs 9oz.

Welcome to the Bush family, little guy!  We love you!