We love our sisters!

The kids were begging for their pictures to be taken with the girls on their beds at bedtime the other night.  They sure love the camera their new sisters!  Its so fun (and, let's be honest, often hectic!) having 4 kids so close in age!  Eloise and Pearl are 8 weeks old!

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. :)

Introducing...Eloise Constance and Pearl Antoinette

Once I hit 37 weeks, we were all wondering and anticipating the day the girls would arrive.  I was so happy to have hit the 37 week mark and knew the babies would be in good health if they were born.  The weekend came and went and I got excited thinking they might be 4th of July babies!  Monday night, after fireworks and a day of celebrating, we all went to bed exhausted.  I woke up at 2:30 after having several contractions in my sleep that had woken me up just enough to notice them and then go back to sleep.  I didn't go back to sleep after 2:30am, however, as labor came on and I began to get more uncomfortable.  I still wasn't sure if this was it because both of my previous labors began with my water breaking.  At 3:30am I decided to wake Jon up and get to the hospital after having a couple of bad contractions and not wanting to have the babies at home or in the car.  While he got dressed, I lay down on the bed to make sure they wouldn't go away by relaxing and had a massive contraction a few minutes later.  This was it!

37 Weeks 4 Days.  In Labor!

Post Epidural Smile

We got to the hospital at 4:30am and found that I was dilated to an 8 and 80% effaced.  I couldn't believe I was already that far and made sure they knew I wanted an epidural (FAST!) so that the doctor could try to turn Baby B (Eloise) after Pearl was born.  By 7am I was at 10cm and ready to deliver so they wheeled me into the OR and Jon got to put on his fancy, white scrubs.  We waited for about 40 minutes for the other doctor to arrive to make sure they had 2 doctors in the room to assist in the deliveries.

Scrubbed in and ready to go!

After 2 contractions and 5 pushes, Pearl was born at 7:43am.  It was a beautiful moment and I was overcome with joy seeing our little girl for the first time!  I held her for a couple of seconds and they took her away while the doctors prepared to turn Baby B.  This may be graphic but one doctor had his arm inside grabbing her legs and pushing them up while the other doctor had his hands on the outside pushing the head down.  They were able to get her into a pike position but only for a second and then her head moved back up.  They tried again and this time her bag of waters broke, her heart rate dropped and they knew they needed to get her out as fast as possible.  The doctor said, "We're going to have to get her out the other way" and I assumed he meant they'd pull her out breech.  I realized I was wrong when they started scrambling to prepare the operating table and picked up the pace to get me ready.  In tears, I was moved to the table and strapped down and the anesthesiologist upped my dosage on the epidural but I was still able to feel much of the first half of the c-section.  By the time they were stitching me up, I was heavily drugged and nearly asleep.  Relief set in when I finally heard Eloise crying.  They let me meet her for a second before whisking her away to the nursery for some help with her breathing.

Pearl's Weight (exactly the same as her sister, Eloise's)

Eloise's CPAP (she had this for only a couple of hours)

Pearl's first bath

When my surgery was done, they wheeled me to the hallway where an x-ray was taken of my abdomen to make sure they hadn't forgotten any tools inside me in all the rush.

The recovery was quite difficult for the first day but it's getting much easier.  We stayed in the hospital for 4 days before going home with both girls (yay!).  Both girls have jaundice but they're doing better and only Eloise has had to have bili lights for the last few days.  They have changed so much already in the few days they've been here and although we can still tell them apart, it's getting more difficult to pick out differences.

Eloise

Pearl

Eloise (left) and Pearl (right)

Eloise

Going Home! Pearl (left) and Eloise (right)

Eloise on bili lights (we call her our glow worm!)

Bathing Beauties, catching some rays to get rid of jaundice.

Pearl in the sun.  She still had jaundice but not enough for lights.

They're so beautiful and I can't imagine only having one baby.  They are nursing great and I'm so sad to think they'll be growing so fast and won't be our tiny babies for long.  I am tandem nursing and am so lucky that they're good at it!  It certainly makes life easier to keep them on the same schedule.

Jonah and Sophie were quite excited to see their new sisters and are very sweet to them.  Sophie loves to help and gives them lots of kisses and Jonah loves to look at them and make sure they're OK.  He learned to pet their heads today while they cried during diaper changes.  He takes his big brother duties very seriously.  Neither of them can tell the girls apart yet but I think they will in time.

My mom was able to stay and help with the kids while we were in the hospital and for a couple of days at home and she was AMAZING.  Our kids are full of energy and I'm sure she got her workout in each day and was exhausted when she finally left this morning.  Thank you, Mom!  You are so wonderful and we miss you!

It's hard to pick which pictures to share with you since we've taken a million.  The one thing that helps is the fact I don't want to edit them all, otherwise, I'd be posting a lot more!

34 Weeks: Baby Shower!

Something that was unexpected for me during this pregnancy was the possibility that I'd have another baby shower.  I've already had 2 showers in the past since I had a boy then a girl and needed gender specific items but I never thought someone would volunteer to throw (nor did I feel I deserved) another shower!  And I had 2!!!

Last week, some ladies in my ward put together a lovely shower and there were so many people that showed up and brought beautiful gifts!  I was completely overwhelmed by the support and love these people show.  Then my dear sister and mom threw another shower for me a week later!  A huge thank you to all those who came!  We had so much fun talking and laughing!  It was more like girls' night out (as my sister-in-law said and I agree). 

A on the left, B on the right

If I look like I'm in pain, I am.  I could hardly lift anything with my left arm because of my ribs. :(

Laura's cute decorations!

Today I had a little burst of energy and was able to put all the gifts in order and was relieved to see the number of diapers we already have!  It seems like a lot and I'm sure we'll be going through them faster than I imagine.  There are a few more things I need to do before I'm "ready" (not sure I'll ever be) for these girls to make their way to this world.  I'm in the process of covering a glider than my awesome neighbor gave me (yay!!), I need to finish putting all the clothes away, pack my hospital bag, and it feels like there's more but it's probably just my panic mode setting in.

I've been going twice a week to the hospital for NSTs and after 2 weeks of a miserable cold, I'm actually starting to feel better.  My torn rib muscles from coughing are starting to ease up and I'm able to take deep breaths and move a little more than I was before.  Just when I thought things couldn't have gotten more uncomfortable (not complaining, just stating facts ;) ) I go the worst cold of my life.  Then I pulled my abs from coughing, then my ribs, landed in the ER because I couldn't move or breath, and now I'm finally pulling through.  Now I'm back to just the feeling that I'm carrying a fully-loaded backpacking pack on my front side and the sensation that everything might just bust through the bottom if I bend over one more time.

I'm OVER the looks that people are giving me when I go out in public.  Some are looks of sympathy for my discomfort but the large majority are looks of complete and utter amazement that someone could be so large!  We went to the Orem Summerfest last week (after I assured Jon I wouldn't go into labor walking around) and I had at least 3 people ask me if I was having more than 1 baby.  I'm not sure I'd ever DARE ask someone that question.  Lucky for them, I am.

My last appointment was Friday and I expected my doctor to check me for dilation again but he didn't.  I'm not sure how I got away without being checked but I didn't mind one bit.  I'm measuring 41 weeks and things still look normal.  He refused to estimate how much further I'd go which I took to mean that I could go any minute.  I'm hoping for another 2 weeks but we'll see what happens!!

They just laughed at me...

I had my 32 week appointment a couple of days early this week so that I could see if our "planned" trip to Colorado could be realized. 

Today was the first appointment during this pregnancy where they checked me for dilation.  The doctor from last week (there are 5 in the group) said he'd feel OK with me going to Colorado as long as I wasn't dilated at all.

I told the doctor today what the last one said and he just shook his head and told me they really don't want anyone with twins traveling past 30 weeks.  It's just too risky.  And I ended up being dilated 1cm anyway.  I guess that's 2 no's. 

Needless to say, I was quite disappointed that we won't be making our trip this weekend.  It was our last getaway before being house-ridden and finding myself topless for most hours in the day.  Yes, I'm going to attempt breastfeeding these twins--at the same time.  Not a lot of room for privacy or modesty there.

As I started to leave my appointment, I realized I hadn't scheduled my non-stress test for this week yet so I turned around to ask the doctor about them.  He said I'll be doing 2 NSTs a week until I deliver.  Basically, they hook me up to a couple of machines to monitor both babies' heart rates and monitoring me for contractions at the same time. 

One of the other doctors came out of his office at that point and asked, "How far along are you now?" and I told him almost 32 weeks.  Then my other doctor who examined me said, "Yeah, and she thinks she's going to Colorado this weekend!"  Then they both just laughed!  I laughed too and I wasn't offended by the apparent comedic nature of my desired vacation but the fact that they were actually laughing made me realize I shouldn't attempt it. 

I left my appointment feeling quite nervous about the fact that the babies may arrive at any time.  I've never made it past 2cm at a normal doctor's visit before going into labor.  Let's just hope I'll dilate slower this time around and that I'll be able to make it at least another 2 weeks (4 is much better...and 6 would be a dream!).

I talked to my wonderful mom this evening and informed her that we wouldn't be coming and might have vented my frustrations that I can't make my body keep these babies in and she gave a most wise response, "Honey, it's better to worry about things that we can control."  Enough said.

31 Weeks

I love it when people ask me if I'm due any day now.  No.  I'm not.  But it did become even more a reality today when I had my 31 week appointment with my doctor.  I didn't have an ultrasound this time.  He measured my belly and told me I was doing wonderfully!  That's always nice to hear and reassuring that things are going as they should.

I measured at 40 weeks today which is full term for a single baby.  No wonder I feel "cooked".  When I asked the doctor what I measured, he said, "Big...you're big."  I'm not sure if he was hesitant to make me really feel my actual girth but he hesitated to say the number of weeks.  I just laughed.  It was no surprise to me!  I know I'm larger now than ever because my stretch marks are having babies of their own!  One of these days I'll brave a bare belly photo just so you can admire the forest of veins and stretch marks that have overgrown my once smooth belly.  My belly button has literally been turned inside out.  There is no more room for it "give".

I went to my visit today with a number of questions.  Sometimes I ask the same question to multiple doctors just to see if they're on the same page or if I'll get a variation of the last person's answer.

1. I've been having strange cravings:  fabric softener, bleach, dishwasher detergent...really any cleaning product makes me drool.  I switch the laundry loads and have the urge to take a bite of the clothing.  I can see myself gnawing on a shirt or pair of shorts like a donkey.
1. Answer: You need more iron!  I asked if it was normal and he paused and smiled and said, "Well, not really, but it usually means your deficient in iron."  I assured him that I wouldn't give in to the craving.
2. How does my body know to keep these babies in any longer??
1. Answer:  It doesn't!  (Oh good, that really doesn't help my paranoia of pre-term labor.)
3. Can I go on a short road trip to Colorado next weekend?
1. Answer:  We'll start checking your cervix next week (WHAT?? Whoa!!!) and if you're closed, you can go, if you're dilating, we'd rather you stay here. (I knew they'd be checking me starting at 32 weeks but it really put things into perspective that these babies could arrive any day now.)
4. Are there doctors that aren't comfortable with breech deliveries?  
1. Answer: Everyone is comfortable with breech deliveries.  We are cautious about them but we're all capable of doing them.
5. When should the babies be in position (Vertex = head down)
1. Answer: Um, now! (Yay! Both babies are vertex!!)

So, I left my appointment feeling pretty happy but seriously nervous that I'm not going to make it as long as I hoped I would.  I asked the doctor at what point the babies would be able to go home with me and he said by 35 weeks and sometimes 34, babies are usually good to go home with mom.  This was very reassuring news for me.  I've been telling myself all along that I wanted to make it to 38 weeks.  This last month or so, I've been telling myself that I'd like to get to at least 36 weeks.  I guess what it really boils down to is that I want my babies to come home with me.  I'm still hoping for big babies (relatively) and shooting for at least 6 pounders, hopefully 7, but with how huge I am right now, I'm just not sure that's going to be a possibility.

Anyway, I leave you with my latest belly bump:

31 Weeks (measuring 40 weeks)

29 Weeks

I had another ultrasound today to monitor the growth of the little chicklets.  I have one more regular appointment in 2 weeks and then I'll be going weekly!  I can't believe I'm already to that point!

They doctor measures the circumference of their heads and bellies and then measures the length of their femur.  They were measuring just 2 days apart which is perfectly normal and could even be closer than that based on the tiniest error in measuring so, we're happy!  They each weigh about 3 lbs right now.  That means I have 6 lbs of baby in me already.  I feel it!

Baby A is head down (vertex) and Baby B was head up (but think she has since turned).  This could change still so I'm not really worried to much about positions at this point.  As long as they're head down by 32-34 weeks, we're go for natural labor!

I'm grateful things are going so well and can't wait to hold these little girls (but I can wait because I want them to double in size first)! 

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!