Update...

If anyone does read our blog you are most likely sick and tired of reading about this pregnancy. But this is also my journal in a way.

So at my last appointment with my ob-gyn on base (at 25weeks 6days). She said that I had dilated to 1cm, everything was fine, the babies were still high and I wasn't thinning out at all. She also told us that baby girl had her head in my pelvis and that baby boy had his head up and under my right lung. She told me to take it easy and put my feet up as much as I could. She also wanted to see me every 2weeks at this point.

Fast forward to this past Thursday. I had another appointment with my ob-gyn on base (I was 27weeks 6days). My doctor said that I was dilated to between a 1cm and 2cm and 50% effected (or thinned out). Little girl is still head down and her head is still in my pelvis (so not comfortable for me). And little boy had moved. His head is now in between my rib cage with his butt under my right lung. Both babies are still high. She said to stop physical therapy and not to exercise in anyway. She wants me to take it easy and put my feet up as much as I can (can I just tell you that is super hard to do when you have a toddler to take care of). She did say that message therapy is ok to do and I can go swimming.

My husband has been so good to me since we found out we are expecting twins and has really gone above and beyond to help me out. He works so hard for our family (being in the military is not always easy). Since I've been so sick he has really done everything that he could around the apartment and takes Iain off my hands so I can rest. When my doctor said that I had to stop physical therapy (and saw how disappointed I was) he went and made an appointment at Message Envy and even got me a member ship so that every month I can go and get a message. How sweet is that. I love my husband so much.

Iain has even started to try harder to go on his potty. I can't believe how big he has gotten. He is so excited for his baby brother and baby sister. His 3rd birthday is in 8weeks and he is so very excited for it.

I'm excited to see what this year brings our way.

So we are thinking...

That we may have a house built here in El Paso. We are praying and fasting (well I'm not fasting b/c of being pregnant). We haven't made a decision yet. But we are hoping that we can come to a decision by mid to late March. Our lease is up in July and the people at the model home were saying that it takes 3 to 4 months to build a house. So we'll see if it is the right time. I would love to be in a house of our own where I can choose the paint colors for the rooms and we can get a pet if we want. We just don't know if we should while we are here or wait.

While we were looking at the model homes, Iain was just so happy to be looking at houses. He doesn't seem to like living in an apartment (I can't say that I blame him for that one). He kept asking Brian and I if we were moving into one of the houses. And when we said no that we were just looking at them he would pout and get all quite. I think we would all be happier living in something other than an apartment. As nice as it has been to live on our own in our apartment neither Brian or I have been to happy with management. Or the way the walls are paper thin. We also dislike that people will yell at each other in between buildings and curse at one another all hours. I hate going to the playground (I was so excited that there was on not 5minutes from my front door) and finding glass bottles and beer cans all over the place. I really don't like the disrespect that some of the kids show an adult (I asked some kids not to throw sand on Iain when he was playing off by him self with his sand toys. They turned around and called me the stupid white woman). These kids were 5 or 6 years old and where were their parents, oh no where to be found. This is just a few of many reasons we are looking to get out of here.

So we are going to start praying and fasting about this starting this week.

Iain is so sweet

So yesterday afternoon, Iain and I were in my room and he saw my phone. He very sweetly asked if he could play the puzzle game. As a baby we taught him to sign a few things, one of the signs we taught him was please. Well, he never did get the hang of doing the sign the way the book taught you, he just runs his hands up and down on his chest for please. So he while he was saying "Momma please may I play the puzzle game. Please momma puzzle game." He was signing please. Of cause I told him yes. Right after I said yes he looks at me and said "See Momma I use my manners. I have good manners."

Brian and I have mean working really hard on teaching Iain manners. I was in despair that it wasn't working. We are really good about praising him when he does use his manners. So when he said that do me yesterday it was like it finally clicked for him. I guess we are doing a good job with this whole parenting thing.

I'm so proud of my little boy. And watching him turn from a baby to a big boy is amazing. I can't wait to see him with his little brother and sister.

Pregnancy/family update

So about a week ago, the specialist I'm seeing said that the babies were measuring bigger than average. I asked her what she meant by that, the doctor's reply was not what I expected at all. She said that if they were to come early (which she thinks they will) they could be anywhere from 7-7 1/2 lbs. (Which if you think about it is really good for preemies. But my mind went what if they come on or after their due date, does that mean I could give birth to not one but two babies that weight 9lbs or more. That would kinda suck (I mean hurt). As long as they are healthy we'll handle whatever happens.

I'm still puking but at least I'm gaining weight not as much as my ob-gyn (the military doctor) wants me to gain 70lbs but I've gained 7lbs after losing 25lbs. So she's not to happy with me but oh well they are growing and are healthy, so oh well.

I'm carrying them a lot lower than I carried with Iain. So my lower back and hips are always killing me. I seriously want to die from the pain. This past Saturday I couldn't move because my hips hurt so very bad I would cry or scream every time I moved. So it made it a whole lot of fun to take care of Iain and myself while Brian was playing D&D with his friends from work.

My ob-gyn put in a referral in to our insurance so that I can go see a physical therapist for my back and hips. So my first appointment is a week from today. I hope that this will help.

I'm just excited that this pregnancy has gotten this far and that despite all the puking, lack of weight gain and the pain. That the twins are going to be joining us some time this year and are family will go from 3 to 5. As hectic as things will be and how very tired I'm going to be (am) that there will be to more sweet babies to kiss and cuddle. To watch smile and giggle. Iain will have not one but two siblings to play with and to learn with.

I can't say that I'm super excited to be so tired but I love watching Iain and Brian around babies that it will be all worth it. But things are going to be so much fun around here when they finally get here.

Iain is such a big helper and so very sweet. He loves to use his manners and is so very kind. Though he is typical boy, rough and tumble. He is my big tough teddy bear. Loves to kiss the babies good night after he says prayers at bed time. Finally showed an interest in potty training after months of asking him if he wants to sit on the potty. Iain loves bath time. Playing outside. He still loves going to nursery every Sunday. He is so very smart and such a talker, story teller, and little singer. I can't wait to see him with his brother and sister.

Brian, is now working night as a night baker. So he is able to attend PT in the mornings. Than he comes home to sleep for a few hours. He has a group of friends from work that he gets together with every week-end to play D&D with. It's a great way for him to de-stress from work. I'm glad that he is able to play/hang out with his friends because it makes him happier and more willing to help me around the house while I've been so sick.

Hopefully, I'll do better at blogging this year but who knows. I will try.

Update...

• Brian and I found out in September that we were expecting (again). And than the next week I started to spot and had some cramping, so we went into the ER. Where the ER doctor ordered an ultrasound and everything was okay. The only thing that was out of the ordinary was that there were two babies. I was shocked (well to be honest I'm still shocked) and Brian was (is) super excited. I'm 14weeks along (the farthest I've gotten since Iain). Have had 2 ultrasounds since our ER visit. We have another one next week (and if the twins aren't too shy we may be able to found out their genders, just in time for Thanksgiving and my parents visit).
• Iain is no longer a baby. He has gotten so very big and I can't believe how much he has changed since we moved to Texas. Not only how much he has changed physically (he is almost 38lbs and he is 3'4" tall) but how independent he has become. Oh and his imagination has changed. He also talks all the time. He has even started to say the prayer without being prompted by Brian or me. His prayers are just so funny sometimes. (I'll post them later).
• Brian is now working nights from 7pm-6am. He is on the Thanksgiving team. He loves it.
• Brian's parents were just out here to visit us for 5days. It was nice to have them to come and stay with us. Iain loved have grandma and grandpa here to play with. He sure became grandma and grandpa's boy while they were here, he didn't want them out if his sight. He was always asking "where grandma and grandpa?, "I want grandma and grandpa". And he was always showing off for them. Well they were here I was no longer the favorite. But I'm okay with that, it was nice to get a little extra rest. I don't know who was more excited to be here, Marlene or Darrel, I think it was a tie between them. While they were here Marlene and I went to get a pedicure well the guys had Iain. It was nice to just have a girls day (even if it was only for a few hours). We showed them around base and El Paso.

Potty Training...

So I was thinking I might start potty training Iain at the end of the month. What books and movies to you guys recommend using? Iain will be 2.5 in October and I was hoping that we could have him potty trained my Christmas or his 3rd birthday. I would like to save the money we spend on diaper and wipes. Do you have any suggestions or advice would be great?

So...We are in limbo

So Brian left for El Paso last week. He has been looking at apartments to see if one of them we are going to call home. He is coming up empty. Either they are too far from base, don't have washer and dryer hook ups, or are just plain on the wrong side of town (we're talking scary part of town). This limbo kinda sucks. I hate being separated from Brian again. I really don't like sleeping alone. And on top of that I'm in pain from a minor car accident the day after Brian left. So I'm in a little bit of pain. (ok you see we just traded in our car and got a 2006 Saturn Relay mini van. And while driving it around the side view mirror was almost taken of my car. Oh I finally have my drivers license and yes I know I'm 27 1/2 years old but better late than never). So I was pretty shaken up about it and yes I know it really could have been worst and I'm glad that Iain wasn't in the car with me. So being in pain I need help but I have to be the mom and moms don't get a sick day. But I was that Brian and I were together so that he could help with picking up Iain and any thing that is 2lbs (the doctor I went to told me not to left anything heavier than 2lbs). So life kinda sucks and this being in limbo is even worst. I can't wait till we are a family again.

Hershey Park and train rides

Last week end we went to PA to visit Hershey Park and to go on a train ride. We left Friday night to drive up to PA. We stayed in Strasburg Pa at a Marriot (my parents wanted to stay in Hershey but all of the hotels were booked). Iain rode all the kiddie rides at the Park that he could go on. I've never seen my little boy have so much fun riding the kiddie rides he didn't want to get off. He would ask to get in line again just so he could continue to ride them. My parents and I wear he out so that he crashed in the stroller. So my parents and I walked around the park so that he could get a nap. We also went to chocolate world and bought chocolate and some other gifts for Iain and family. The next day we went on a train ride but before the train ride we went to a toy train museums. I was impressed by the shire number of toy trains that there are out there. Iain and my dad were in heaven while we were there. After we left the toy train museum we went to the train station to board our train. Iain's little face just lit up like a Christmas tree and his beautiful blue eyes got so big when he realized that Gram, Pop Pop, and Mommy were taking him on a real train. We had lunch on the train. Iain gave our tickets to the conductor. I was so excited that he was telling every one that would listen that he was on a choo-choo train. He loved to hear the train whistle and would laugh in delight whenever he heard it. There was a photographer that came around and let Iain wear a conductors hat for our picture. After we disembarked from the train we went to the train museum across the street. At that museum there were interactive stations that kids could actually try out how to shovel coal into the fire box, push buttons on the dash board of a train, and make the whistle sound off. After riding the train and playing at the museum he crashed on the drive back to my parents house.

Made it to VA...And the angels I meet on the way...

Well I woke up at 3:15am to finish last minute packing before we headed to the airport. I woke Iain up at 3:30am so that he could wake up Grandpa. We got on our way at quarter till 4am. Iain and I got to the airport at quarter after 4am. I was able to get through TSA rather quickly. There was a lady right behind me in line while we were in line with TSA who helped me get everything out of my carry ons and folding the stroller. I'm so grateful for the angels that Heavenly Father sends to me in places like this. Iain and I got to our gate with 45minutes to spare. While we were on the breeze way (well at the end of it) I was trying to get the stroller folded up so I could get Iain and I on the plane so we could get some seats. But I was struggling with folding the stroller and Iain was making a bee line for the door of the plane. One of the co-pilots saw what was happening and asked me if I thought Iain would like to see the cockpit. I told him that Iain would love that and that would make his day. I asked him if I should wait for him, the gentleman said that they would bring him to me at my sit. One of the stewardess's brought Iain back to me and about 5minutes later the co-pilot came up to me and said that this was a bit unorthodox but he took some pictures of Iain on his phone and would like my e-mail and/or number so he could send them to me, but he was unsure if he could get them to send because he had just gotten his phone and was unsure how it worked. I of cause gave him the information that he asked for. (And after we landed I got 2 text messages from a number I didn't know but it was 2 pictures of Iain sitting in the cockpit. I was thrilled that this man was willing to one take a little boy into the cockpit while I finished folding the stroller and two was thoughtful enough to take pictures of a little boy how was over the moon to be flying on a plane and send them to his mother as a sweet reminder of his excitement to be flying. Iain was bouncing in his seat the entire time and claiming all over me (pretty sure I'm going to have more busies on my hips and legs. It's not the first time and I know it won't be the last). We landed at Midway airport and had an 1.5 hours till we boarded our connecting plane to IAD. I changed Iain out of his pjs and into comfortable clothes and his harness (child leash) just so I wouldn't lose him in the airport (my boy knows how to get out of his seatbelt in the stroller). During this leg of our flight Iain watched Disney's Peter Pan and stayed in his seat the entire time. (Oh did I say that Iain had yet to fall a sleep). After we landed we headed to baggage claim. We passed Trace Atkins (way cool and no I didn't stop and get a picture but he said hi to Iain and told me Iain was a cute little boy. And that just made my day. I'm going to count that as another angel). I saw my brother PJ, we than got my suitcases and headed out to my mom. Iain fall a sleep in the van. So we drove around a little bit. Mom wanted to show me the new buildings on GMU's campus. Holy moly there is so much new construction on campus it doesn't look the same to me.

Mark.....Set.....Go!

So today Iain and Gabe were running circles around the main floor of the house. And Iain stopped in front of Leslie and said "Mark...Set...Go!" than starting running just as fast as he could. Every time he would get to were Leslie was sitting he would say it again. How funny is that? I didn't know that he could say that at all. This morning before we left for his doctor appointment I had he watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so that I could get stuff together to go. And todays episode was about shapes. He could name all the shapes. I was quite impressed by that. He doesn't do it on command but when he thinks no one is listening and watching him he will say and do many things. He really is quite smart and a huge stinker.

Iain is 2 years old today

Happy birthday to my sweet little boy. I can hardly believe that you have been here two years today. You have grown so much over the last year and can't wait to see what this next year holds for you. You are so very smart and so kind to everyone around you. You, my sweet boy, amaze me each and every day. You have shown me what wonders there are in this world and have shown me more love and kindness than I ever thought one little boy could ever hold. You have this way at looking at people and knowing that they need a smile and hug to brighten their day. You are mommy best little helper always wanting to cook and clean. I love that you are turning into such a gentleman and a kind little boy. I thank Heavenly Father each and everyday that he sent you to me. Being your mother as been the greatest blessing of my life. One day you will be a man and marrying your forever sweetheart but I will have loved you first and best (well your father too). But for now you are my baby and I can't wait for the changes that are coming to our family this year and to see how you grow. I love you Iain and happy 2nd birthday.

10 days till my baby turns 2

So Iain will be 2 years old in 10 days. And I can't believe it. It seems like yesterday that Brian and I brought him home from the hospital. I can't believe that he has turned into this little boy. One day he was a baby and than I blink and he is a toddler. He is talking up a storm and learning by leaps and bounds. I can't keep up with all the things that he is learning. Seriously where did my baby go.

Sleep Training

So as many of you know I started sleep training a few weeks ago. I thought for sure that when we went to Oklahoma to see Brian that it would set me back in the training. But when we got back he went to bed at the normal time very easy. I was so proud of my little boy. Now if I could get him to stay a sleep but his problem time period is anywhere from 12am-3:30am, he'll wake up and than sit up and say "mum...mum...mum" until I come down there and put him in bed with me. So I've been sleeping on the couch for a little over a week. I hope that he'll stop calling for me. It would be nice to sleep in my bed again.

My soldier graduated from basic training

So my in-laws and I drove to OK to see Brian. Family Day was March 31st at Fort Sill. So Wednesday morning early (really early). I stayed up late the night before to finish packing for our trip. But I made to much noise in our room and woke Iain up so I ended up getting into bed and getting Iain back down to sleep. So I set my alarm for 3:45am and that's when I finished packing. But At 4:30am Iain woke up and wanted to build a train with the blocks. So I let him build while took a shower and packed. I was all ready to go by quarter till 6am (it was 'o' dark hundred. And getting up that early remained me of when I was still in high school). By the time we had the car packed and ready to go it was quarter till 7am. But by the time we got on the road in was 15minutes till 8am (and my mother-in-law wanted to be on the road no later than 6am because we had a 13+ hour drive ahead of us). But we finally got on our way. Iain stayed awoke till 10:30am. Iain was amazing on the drive out (except when we were 30minutes from the hotel. Iain kept saying "me done", "all done", "home now" and "push". He was super excited to see Daddy. And thought that we were going to see him at the hotel. And was disappointed that daddy wasn't waiting for us in the room. When we got to the hotel I gave Iain a bath (because we had to get up and be ready to go eat and be on base before 7:30am). But I stayed up late trying load music so I could sync it to the Ipod.

Making cookies with 2 under 2

So yesterday my sister-in-law Leslie and I made cookies with Iain and her son Gabe (they are 11days apart). It was so much fun to bake with the boys. We had each of them pour the measuring cups/spoons into the bowls. Than we had them stir the flour to mix all the dry ingredients together. And they thought that it would be fun to flipped it out of the bowl and all of themselves and the floor. It was so cute. They also thought that the flour, baking powder, and salt teased good. They were eating it by the spoonful.

It was such a great way to spend the afternoon. And a wonderful opportunity to teach the boys how to measure out stuff and that if you add stuff together it can be make into something else.

Talking to people from the past

My older sister has been in contact with one of our birth mother's sisters. So the other day when I called her she was at our deceased grandmothers house helping our aunt go through everything. So our aunt asked Susan to ask me if it was ok for her to talk to me. I had some mixed feelings about that. But I said sure. My biggest fear is letting that side of my family (well past) into my life again that it'll bite me in the butt. I don't want my little boy to be hurt or scared. But I have to try, right. The things I remember about her are all good. These are memories that I have I want to know that are true. I also want to learn more about my family history and our past as a family. So here's hoping that it doesn't bite me in the butt.

Sleep Training

When did you moms out there sleep train your babies/kids? I know I waited to start sleep training Iain really late (I mean he is going to be 2 years old next month) but I just couldn't bring my self to let him cry it out. But I hate to hear him cry. So I've been letting him cry it out since last Sunday. I'm glad that my sister-in-law and her husband pushed my hand and started to sleep train him during his nap (they had brought him home early from church he had a cold so I didn't want him to go to nursery and his uncle Mark was giving his last talk before he leaves for the MTC (he is going to be sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ for 2 years in the Washington DC North Mission). So for the all of this week I've been putting him to bed and leaving the room. Iain cries for less than 5 minutes and that is while I'm still in the room. Once I'm gone he stops crying and settles down to sleep.

Sleep Training

So on Sunday my sister-in-law and her husband put my hand and started sleep training Iain without talking to me. Iain had a cold all last week and I didn't think it was a good idea for him to go to Nursery (I don't want it to be passed onto any other kids and their families). But Mark was talking for the last time in our ward before he leaves on his mission to Washington DC North and it was important that we were all there him. So I asked them to bring him home at 1st hour. Well Iain was very tired and I told them to make sure he got a nap. Well when they got home they put him in his crib and he screamed/yelled/cried for 15minutes. Well Julie saw that he was holding something small and ran down stairs to take it away from him. When she got down there she figured that maybe she should change his diaper. And while she was changing him she was telling him that it was going to go to sleep in his own bed. That when he woke up that mommy would be home and that Uncle would take him outside to play. After she left. He cried for 45minutes more and than finally fall asleep (well the stinker through all his stuffed dogs onto the floor). He took a long nap.

But that night Iain cried for 30minutes and I slept on the couch for a week and a half.

Does Anyone Write To-Do lists

When I moved out of my parents house in 2004, I've been writing daily, weekly, and monthly lists of things that I need to get done. Ever since I had Iain I haven't been so good at writing these lists but I hope now that he is almost 2 years old that I'll be able to start up this habit again. I really have missed having my lists. I'm the type of person that likes to cross of something that I have finished. It kinda gives me a sense of accomplishment. So I think I'm going to start this week and what better day to write it than on Sunday. So here it goes.

• Let's start with Monday.
• Straighten up my room.
• Putt laundry away from a week ago.
• Personal bible study
• Figure out what I'm going to cook for dinner on Wed.
• If its not to cold out side take Iain to the park.
• Exercise for at least 30minutes
• Tuesday
• Do laundry for the week
• Do an art project with Iain.
• Exercise for 3ominutes
• Personal bible study
• Fold and put away laundry
• Move boxes around
• Wednesday
• Personal bible study
• Take Iain out side (if not to cold)
• Exercise for 30minutes
• Cook dinner
• Thursday
• Personal bible study
• Write an e-mail to Brian
• Exercise for 30minutes
• Do an art project with Iain
• Friday
• Personal bible study
• Exercise for 30minutes
• Do my nails
• Saturday
• Exercise for 30minutes
• Do something by my self
• Start the baby booties for Leslie's new baby.
• Sunday
• Get up earlier for church
• Write my list for next week
• For the Week
• Try to get all my stuff done daily.
• Figure out what I want to get done monthly.
• For the rest of January
• Start and finish Leslie's new baby blessing blanket
• Plan out and start 2 other blankets
• Call Sis. Bennar to see if I can come over one day and get some help with a pattern that I'm a little stumped on.
• Clean out my e-mail in box (it's too full).
• Clean my bathroom and dust my room.
• Start sleep training Iain.

I don't now if I'll get any of this done. Or even how much I'll have to put things of till the next day, week, or month. But I'm going to do my hardest to cross off things from my lists. Wish me luck.

Being Thankful

So its early in the morning the day after Thanksgiving and I realized that I have not written what I'm most thankful for this year.

• For starters I'm thankful for a husband that has taken any job he could get just so that we had enough to get by when things were hard. And is willing to put aside dreams (ones that we have together for the moment) to do what is needed to get us out on our own. For being a fantastic father to our little boy. And he is going to make a wonderful solider. Who supports me and comforts me and loves me for eternity.
• For a little boy who is so very sweet. For always showing me the wonder in the world that Heavenly Father has given us. All the kisses our boys freely gives. His chubby helping hands. And for how those same hands fit so well in mine when we walk down the street. The smile that is always on his face. How he asks for a book to be read over and over. And how he folds his arms for prayers and when we ask him who should say the prayer he points to who he wants to say it. The way his big blue eyes light up when his daddy comes home. Running down the hall every Sunday so he can go to Nursery. I really love our boy...can you tell.
• For extended family who have helped and supported us during the last little bit. And more importantly love us no matter what.
• For a Heavenly Father that always listens to our prayers. And who more importantly loves us more than we will ever really know.
• For a Savior that gave his life so that we may return to Heavenly Father's home.
• For the blessings of the temple. Being sealed in the house of the Lord was the happiest days of my life and knowing that my family is going to be together for all eternity is more importantly something that brings me great joy and peace. And the fact that I can go back whenever I want is such a blessing and comfort to me.
• For the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm so blessed that I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
• Friends that I can call anytime day or night when I want to talk to them (no matter how far away they are).

What are you thankful for this year?