My Photo Shoot

About a week and a half ago, Billy and I were able to get some pictures taken. This is one thing I really wanted to do while being prgnant (I am pretty easy going and don't demand much, but I wanted this) and I wasn't sure if it was going to happen. We had to cancel with Winter, the photographer and cousin, three times because of issues with getting my hair done. I didn't want to wait too long to get the pictures taken because my feet and ankles had already started to swell and I knew it would only get worse as time went on. Thankfully though, everything came together and I think the pictures turned out so good! Winter did an amazing job...thank you WINTER! We don't have all the pictures yet, but here is a sneek peak!

First Photo Shoot for James

Today I had a doctor appointment with the specialist I am seeing. It went very well! My favorite comment he made was that I should be the "poster child" for Medtronics, which is the company who makes my insulin pump. (Maybe they can give me a job!) I continue to get raving reviews from him and my two other doctors about how well I am doing with twins and being diabetic.

The ultrasound technician did a couple 3D ultrasounds on the baby on top since we could see his face really well. They are below. I'll be honest...I am not much of a fan of 3D because I think they make the babies look like aliens. However, I love the ones I got today. Here are two, and I only have one additional one, but I think it actually looks like a cute baby. I am so excited. Billy said he has his nose and I agree.

Here is James just taking a good nap. It was funny because when this was taken, Marc was kicking and hitting him! Do you think he has hair? Billy and I were debating if that is hair on top of his head...

The technician drew sunglasses on him too which I thought was cute!

Both of the boys are growing very well. Marc is measuring at 3 lbs 12 oz and James is measuring at 3 lbs 11 oz. You can't get much better than that!

Thoughts on Pregnancy

Throughout my life, I had the inclination that I would have a hard time getting pregnant, so when Billy and I decided it was time to try, I wasn’t surprised when there were issues. I said many times to Billy, my sister, Kelly, and to my mom that I just wanted to be able to get pregnant once so I could experience the feelings that go a long with pregnancy. Now that I am more than 7 months pregnant, I have to say I am very grateful for this opportunity to be expecting not only one, but two little boys. I know it won’t always be easy, I am sure it will be so hard sometimes, but I am so excited to be blessed with this opportunity to raise, teach and love our two boys. Over the past few weeks, the excitement is increasing because within the next two months, I will be a mom! As the time has been getting closer, there are a few things I have really enjoyed:

My favorite thing is to feel them move around inside me. For the past two weeks or so, when the boys move, you can see my stomach move too. It is fun to know where their heads are, when their elbows are poking me and when they are rolling over. Right now they are positioned with one on top of the other. I feel the top one all the time, and I wonder if that means he will be more active…we’ll see!

Another thing that amazes me is what our bodies do when we are pregnant. God really did create our bodies and he is our Eternal Father and created us to be able to have these types of experiences. I have no idea how people can question if there is a supreme being, with the miracle of child birth alone. Sure it is not always ideal and comfortable, but having babies grow in us is amazing.

I am also so grateful for medical technology today. I am honestly an ultimate high risk pregnancy patient. I have the odds stacked against me in having a good healthy pregnancy, with being a type one diabetic, having a thyroid issue, being pregnant with twins and then also having PCOS that makes it difficult to get pregnant. Honestly, before I got pregnant, I wondered if there is anything else that would make my pregnancy more difficult since I felt like I had a million issues…and of course there is. I am so blessed that my cervix is holding up strong and that there isn’t a huge chance for me to go into labor too early (yay!), my blood pressure has been excellent and that is wonderful because my chances are severely increased since I am in my first pregnancy and because I am pregnant with twins too. I also have been blessed to have an insulin pump so that I can control my blood sugars while pregnant. Over the almost 15 years I have been diabetic, I have heard horror stories of pregnancies of diabetic women and how difficult it is to be pregnant. I will admit, it isn’t always easy, but the pump really helps control it and my doctors have all been really happy and impressed with my control.

Since I am high risk, I go to the doctor all the time! I have been seeing three doctors once a month for the last 3-4 months, and it is increasing even more now that I am towards the end. The specialist I see measures the bones in both of the babies consistently to make sure both are growing at equal rates. I am grateful that they both have been and are about 3 pounds each! It is amazing that they can see how much blood is flowing across the uterus to the babies and all the other crazy things they tell me at each visit. Even 10 years ago technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today and I wouldn’t have made it to where I am without the medical technology.

I am excited that I only have 8 weeks (at the max) left of being pregnant, but I think I will miss feeling some of the feelings of being pregnant and the “glow” it gives me! I am grateful for the opportunity to be a mom and to experience the joys of pregnancy (I know this sounds crazy, but I never really got sick) because I know that not everyone is fortunate to have this opportunity.

Just a few thoughts I’ve been having…thought I would share!

First Baby Shower

I have the best team at work. I invited all of the girls to my baby shower, so I wasn't expecting for my team to do anything at work for me for a baby shower. However, they bought lunch, cake and gave us some gifts for our boys on Thursday. I was so surprised and was touched by all that they gave. They definitely overdid themselves!

Here is my team at work...we took the picture with the timer, and that's why it isn't professional looking.

This was the amazing cake they had for me too! It is personalized and everything!

The team gave us a bathtub with towels and wash clothes, some bibs we registered for that say, "chicks dig me" or something like that, teething toys, a kit with nail clippers, thermometer, and a duck for the bath. Thanks so much team...you are the best team to manage and I will miss working with you when I go on leave.

Christmas 2009

I know it is kinda late, but I wanted to post a few pictures from Christmas. My whole family came out from California and all stayed with Billy and I. It was crazy with so many people here, but it was so fun to see everyone! (Let's just say that I won't ever have 7 kids, 9 years old and younger, and be pregnant!)

Kelly and I helping the kids with their Christmas art project

Billy playing with Alyse...he is going to be a great dad...one who plays with kids! I can't wait!

Here I am pregnant on Christmas. Let's just say that I have definitely grown substacially since this picture too. Billy and I are taking pictures tomorrow so you will all be able to see me at 30 weeks...Most people take pictures towards the end of their pregnancy, but I think I will be done posting them soon! :)

Billy and I...our last Christmas with just the two of us

Here is a picture of the whole family...It had been years since we have had one...Just think, next time we all get together, there will be at least two more boys to help even out the numbers! :)

I am so lucky to have a such a wonderful family who loves me and came out to Phoenix for Christmas. We missed my Grandpa (my Grandma came out without him) but I am sure he was happy having a quite Christmas. It's interesting how relationships change after you've been married for over 65 years. :)

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, Billy and I stayed in Phoenix for Thanksgiving Day. Billy went and played flag football with the ward and played against another ward from Laveen. He had a great time since he absolutely loves football. Later that day, we spent the afternoon with Billy's family (his Dad and Margaret, Uncle Bob and Aunt Shelly and all of Billy's cousins!) We had a great Thanksgiving feast, enjoyed each other's company and ate outside and enjoyed beautiful Phoenix weather.

Here is Billy and I after our big Thanksgiving dinner hanging out on the grass.

I thought the patio was set up really nice and we enjoyed our meal out there. This is definitely one of the huge benefits of living in Phoenix. Not many other places in the country can you sit outside and comfortably enjoy Thanksgiving.

Here is the Cunningham family. It was great to be at the temple with them and to share the special day with Chareese and Richard.

Paige and I are showing off our pregnant bellies together. I think we are about 5-6 weeks apart and she is also having a boy...You can definitely tell who is having the twins though...My significantly larger bump kinda gives it away! :)

Friday morning Billy and I packed up and drove to my brothers house in Southern California. We had some dressers that we weren't using and he had some baby stuff to share with us, so we took the long weekend as an opportunity to go out there and trade stuff around. Michele was wonderful and had collected quite a bit of baby boy clothes for 0-6 months. I started to go through them, but soon realized that they were all cute! It was fun to start accumulating baby stuff and makes it seem more real that in a few months we'll be parents. While we were at my brothers, we went to a pizza buffet that was so good. We all ate way too much food and then played games in the arcade. We had a lot of fun and it was great to spend time with J and his family.

Emma definitely enjoyed all her food! She loved the ice cream especially and even shared it with her hair!

Emma and I are playing Deal or No Deal. Let's just say I didn't do well at the arcade game, and if I ever got on the show and did that bad, I would be so disappointed. I guess it is all about luck and not as easy as you would think.

Here are Fenton and Rosemarie picking out the prizes they were going to get with their tickets. Rosemarie decided that she was going to save her tickets up for a lava lamp but Fenton quickly spent his and played with his toys that night and the next day.We had a great Thanksgiving and are so blessed!

We were fortunate to be able to see parts of both of our families and we look forward to Christmas when my parents, siblings and their kids all come to Phoenix to spend Christmas with us! :)

Congratulations Billy!

I am so proud of my husband! He found out on Monday that he was selected to be promoted to management!!! This is so exciting because it is what he has been working for as long as I've known him. There have definitely been some bumps along the way and managers who don't know what's best, but after changing jobs in July and taking a leap of faith, it looks like it is paying off. We are so blessed that Billy has this opportunity to advance his career and know that it is truly a blessing!

What can I say...he is so amazing! :)