The Twins

Baby Blessings and a Birthday

Today was a special day not only was it my sister's Birthday but it was also the day we decided to bless Brooke and Rhead. We kind of decided last minute to do it today because we realized that both grandparents would be in town and so we did it. They are only two weeks old and I was a little nervous taking them to church but hopefully they will stay healthy.

They were so good during the blessing. Justin brought the spirit to the meeting with such beautiful prayers for each baby. Brooke was blessed first and for the past few weeks I felt that we needed to give her the middle name of Irene. This is my Grandma's name and she is an amazing lady. She is so strong, determined, and talented that I felt that Brooke needed this as part of her name. Brooke is such a strong girl and she was able to push her way into this world being so small. I was really nervous delivering her first but she was able to do it all by herself! Some things that really touched me as I listened to Justin's blessing was that Brooke would live a healthy long life and that she would use her talents to be a good mother and wife. I know that all of us have talents and sometimes we neglect using them especially in our families. For instance, I love to teach dance and I know that I should start using dance to have fun family recreational activities!

Rhead was then blessed second since he came second into this world. Rhead was quite the gentleman letting Brooke go first and being patient enough to hang out while she came into the world. I thought he would have stress as he waited so patiently but he was calm and didn't have any heart problems. Rhead is so sensitive and calm and I am really glad that we named him after his Grandma's. I finally feel good about the names we gave them as Justin blessed them today in church. It was such a good feeling. We are so grateful for the blessings we have received this month and for the past nine months with how smooth everything has been. Thank you to all that came to the blessing and for making the drive up here. We love you all.

We also got to eat a YUMMY lunch with the Glenn family as we celebrated Kierstin's Birthday. Then we ate this AMAZING pumpkin cake! Wow, it was a great day. We also headed to the church to see all the beautiful nativity sets.

40 Week Mark

Today is the TWINS 40 week mark. It is crazy to think that they would have been born today. They are still so small and hopefully will be at their birth weight at their next check up. Nursing is SOOOOOOO HARD! Ohhhh my goodness. I really don't know how any one can NURSE twins. I still don't know what I am doing with nursing, formula, bottles. So far I have tried just doing all nursing, but when 2 am rolls around and both babies nurse at the same time for AN HOUR and still want to nurse that is when I say NO MORE. I need to supplement somewhere! Now I just don't know if I want to have two supplement feedings or just one. I just really hate having to worry about weight gain and milk supply. Why can't I just let everything go and let the babies decide when they want to eat and how much!!!! Well I have to go try nursing Brooke. They are just sooo sleepy and it seriously takes an hour to feed one!

Just a couple more videos to re-live Saturday

BYU vs UofU from James B Ellison on Vimeo.

Carden and Chase Jammin'

Carden and Chase love to play on this piano at the Glenn's house. I snuck in to film them. Sorry the quality is low, it was dark in that room.

Harline is still open...Magic Happens on 4th and 18...and now "George is still Running"

We've now won 3 out of 4 against utah, are one of only FOUR teams to have won 10+ games the last 4 years (BSU, Texas, Ohio State are the others...and BYU has never done that before) and are currently ranked #14 with the all-time receptions leader at TE in Pitta, the all-time leading rusher at RB in Unga and the all-time wins leader at QB in Hall...RISE AND SHOUT THE COUGARS ARE OUT....GOOOOOOOO COUGARS!

More pics!

Lucy and Jett with Brooke and Jayne and Asia with Rhead on Turkey Day

Rhead and Brooke always have their beanies on.

All the CA cousins! (Carden, Cohen, Luke & Rhead, Asia & Brooke, Lois and Jade)

Studly Rhead.

Beautiful Brooke

Brooke Rolls OVER!!!

In only her TENTH day of mortal existence...Brooke is rolling over!!! And this wasn't some one-time fluke thing...she's done it 5 or 6 more times tonight. Crazy.

Family of Five

I can't believe it has already been over a week since the delivery of Brooke and Rhead. I really can't even believe how smooth that whole day went. It was the neatest experience and so very different from Carden's birth. I am so thankful for every one's love, support, and prayers. We had the most smooth delivery. I was so thankful that we had the twins before 7pm. The whole day I was having contractions with no pain and seriously I was sad that Justin and I didn't bring games to play the whole day in the hospital! My body pretty much dilated to a 6 without any pain, then they broke my water and things picked up. My epidural went well but then when I was pushing I asked for more but my doctor said no! I didn't complain because I knew that she wanted me to deliver these babies vaginally as much as I did. SO I just put my concentration and all my energy into pushing. It was so hard but soooooo amazing to feel TWO babies come into this world! I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father sent Justin and I two sweet spirits into our home. Everyday has been so amazing to see these little babies both healthy and strong.

Overall things have gone really well with adapting to the change. I'm not going to lie though that nursing has been rough. Not as rough as with Carden but still it is always hard because our babies just don't gain weight quick enough to make the DOCTORS happy. Luckily Rhead and Brooke are gaining weight just at the cut off. I feel like my milk is up and hopefully things will continue to go well. I LOVE having two babies. It is so neat to hold two little babies in your arms. It is so fun to put them together in the crib and see them snuggling up to each other. Here are just a few pictures of the twins. Rhead looks like a Livingston/Anderson to me with his round chin and straight narrow nose and Brooke looks just like her Aunt Michelle to me with her red pouty lips! It will be so fun to see how much they change.

more pics of Brooke and Rhead

getting cozy

the boys

rhead waving hi

brooke doing the "heil hitler" wave. :)

brooke ready to go home!


many have requested "stats". here they are...
Brooke - 5 lbs 13 oz, 19in long
Rhead - 6 lbs 14 oz, 20.5in long

more pics

pic 1 - brooke waiting for rhead to come out. she laid like this the whole time, which is exactly how carden sleeps!
pic 2 - marin and justin in the L&D room just after everything
pic 3 - justin holding his little girl
pic 4 - marin with the babies and dr. livingston
pic 5 - brooke and rhead snuggled up together again! (brooke on left, rhead on right)

The Twins are here!!!

Here's a few pics and a quick recap...

(pic 1 - marin holding brooke, 2 - brooke on left rhead on right, 3 - ditto, 4 - rhead seconds after birth, 5 - brooke seconds after birth)

7:30am - checked into hospital
8:00am - marin was found to be at a 4!!!
8-1pm - light contractions, very little pain...at a 6.
2-5pm - more frequent contractions, a little more intense, but nothing really painful
5:15pm - marin still stuck at 6...doctor "pin pricks" Brooke's water. she was closer and this was thought it would help speed things up. contractions pick up in intensity/pain.
5:45pm - epidural in to help ease pain.
6ish - doctor comes to check marin again. she's a TEN! in about 20 minutes! wheeled into Operating Room (just in case a c-section was needed)
6:22pm - Brooke born
6:35 - Rhead Born
6:56 - wheeled back into original labor and delivery room...less than 1 hour after being wheeled out of it!!!

the doctor said the whole process was the smoothest and quickest twin labor she's ever been a part of. it really was incredible. everything went perfectly. i'll let marin elaborate on that more later.

So DONE

AHHHHHHHHHH I can't take two more nights of being pregnant! I think I slept a total of 4 hours last night and then three the other night. I am so uncomfortable. I had to go the bathroom at midnight, 3am, 4am, and 5am. I had to eat at midnight and 4am. I WAY rather being waking up to some CUTE babies than this HUGE FAT tummy! I really wish they would just come out. But I guess it is good since Justin has a HUGE presentation tomorrow night. I just really dread two more nights. My poor body has had it.

GREAT Saturday!

I just love this FACE!! Carden loves to eat and I love watching him EAT! I was trying to get him to show me his muscles. Lately when I ask him where his muscles are he will flex for me. It is really cute. Carden's new words this month are: FISHHHH, Watch, CHEESE, and hmmm I think those are it. He is starting to talk more and more and it is just so FUN!

Saturday afternoon we went and watched BYU FOOTBALL at the Glenns! It was really fun. The kids played in Asia's room and were having their own DANCE party! It was really cute! We also ate some REALLY GOOD sloppy joes as well as homemade granola. Thanks GLENN FAMILY!


We had such a great day today. Justin watched Carden so I could hang out ONE last time with all the girls for a BABY shower in honor of Yaneth White. She is actually due December 6th and I was supposed to be due December 5th!! It would have been fun to both be in the hospital at the same time, but I guess our little babies will still be close!

I was excited to bring some baby games to the party and we played the animal matching game, the estimating M&M jar, and belly, as well as baby rhythms and the Yaneth Baby poem! It was a lot of fun to be with all the girls and be able to laugh and celebrate! It has been so fun being pregnant with SOOO many wonderful ladies in our ward! It is crazy that there has been a birth almost every MONTH this FALL and will continue into winter!! So exciting!

37 Weeks- FULL TERM!

Well I made it to 37 weeks with twins and still no sign of going into labor. I have had a few contractions here and there but for the most part can't feel them. I went to the hospital for the non-stress test and the lady kept saying, "Oh they are just having too much fun in there! These babies look happy and beautiful!" I don't know how she was saying they looked beautiful, I guess their activity level and heart beats just looked so beautiful to her! I kept telling her that I felt like the girl was getting squished by her brother but the lady (Maureen) kept saying that this girl is kickin and teasin him!

I really am getting so excited to meet these two babies! I am kind of sad that they aren't going to be premies but I am thankful that they will probably have no complications and will be able to come home right away! Things couldn't be better with how everything is timed out. Justin's last week of class is the day before the babies should arrive, which means at least Justin can be around for a few days before he has to study for his FINALS!!!

For the most part I still feel good. Evenings and nights are the hardest time. But my body is still feeling good. I even walked to the park today with Carden (it was probably two miles). I was kind of nervous but I didn't feel like anything would really happen. I'm so thankful that I have not had to go on bed rest through this whole pregnancy!! That would have been so hard.

Thank you everyone for all the love and support! We seriously couldn't have made it this far without ALL of you! We can't wait to introduce you all to BROOKE and RHEAD (only 7 more days!)!!

The End is NEAR!

Well I had another doctors appointment today being 36 weeks and 5 days pregnant with twins. I met with a Doctor Livingston who was the last doctor that I needed to meet. She is a nice lady. She actually gave me another quick ultrasound to make sure both babies were head down and YES they are still HEAD DOWN!!! The baby girl is closest to the cervix still and kicking like crazy. All the doctors say she looks sooo happy in there!! I don't know how she is so happy when her brother the big 6 pound 5 oz boy is sitting on top of her practically!!! She is going to be one TUFF girl (maybe she will be a good soccer player!!!) The boy doesn't seem to move as much as the girl, but maybe its just because he is always in weird positions. I'm happy though that he flipped and now is ready to come.

But anyways back to the appointment. I am now weighing 169lbs!!! Ohh man. I seriously can't believe all this weight. It makes me so sick at night when I have to roll over. I had to wake up 3 times last night to go the bathroom and I kept thinking I'd rather be waking up to go nurse two cute little babies. I can barely get toilet paper in my hands b/c they swell up so much at night! My legs ache as well from carrying all this weight and my feet are now a whole size bigger. My cousin bought his wife a NEW PAIR of shoes for carrying her baby the 9 months. I GUESS i better tell JUSTIN he owes me TWO NEW PAIR of SHOES for carrying TWINS almost 9 months!!!! Plus I can't fit into any of my shoes!! My poor body will never be the same. Sorry I keep getting off the topic. But the Perinatologist recommends the babies being delivered between 37 and 38 weeks. My doctor said they like to wait until 38 and a half weeks so we set the induction for November 24th even though the 23rd is when I would be exactly 38 and a half weeks but that is our anniversary so I put it on the 24th. However, the my doctor called back and said we needed to move it closer. I am SOOOO GLAD b/c I really didn't want to have to be in the hospital on THANKSGIVING day. So now THE BABIES will FOR SURE be here on 11-19-09!!!! I go in at 7am to be induced. Hopefully all will go well.

I really hope they come just naturally but at least I have a end date to look forward to. I'm not all about being induced but they are concerned since baby A (the girl) is staying so small. Dr. Livingston will deliver (good name, hopefully good doctor!). So there we go! I can't believe it will be next week! I'm glad I have at least one more week to prepare but then I dread sleeping one more week with TWINS!

36 WEEKS- Heads are DOWN!

We are at 36 weeks with twins! The morning started out with a non-stress test to find that everything is going well. Both babies are doing great even with contractions. I guess I was having a lot of contractions this morning as well as a high blood pressure (128/88). The lady doing the testing was like, "You might not be going home today." I reassured her that everything felt the same and I really didn't feel dizzy or pain during all of the contractions. I actually wanted to have the babies today since it is the 5th!

I then went on the hospital tour. I pretty much saw the whole hospital. It made me kind of sick thinking about everything that has to go on for these babies to come. I really am not looking forward to all the rooms I have to go through before going home.

Then I went to the ultrasound. This is where I was crying with JOY even though I know things can still change and not go as planned but I found out that the BOY had flipped and now was head down. Both babies are head down and ready for delivery. Lying there watching them I thought, wow, if only I can just be induced right now. I mean the BOY is now 6 POUNDS 5 OZ!!!! okay this is like a REGULAR size baby. Then the GIRL is almost 5 pounds being at 4 pounds 15 oz. They aren't too worried about her since she is still growing on the right curve. The Doctor at the ultrasound said that they needed to be delivered in the next two weeks though at around 37 or 38 weeks. Crazy! I actually wish it was today. I feel so large and so heavy and I really don't want the babies to change positions.

Well, this is the update. I can't believe I am really at 36 weeks. I am pretty much carrying an extra 50 pounds as well as CARDEN around. I'm really ready to deliver. I can't keep lifting Carden up onto my lap or into the crib for his bedtime. It has been a hard pregnancy and I am ready to have my body back. I am so thankful that everything has gone so well and I really hope that this delivery goes well. Thank you all for keeping us in your prayers. Maybe my next post will be introducing you to Rhead and Brooke!

Carden the EATER

I am just in a blogging mood and I should have taken out the camera at dinner time! Carden is just so dang cute to me. I just love him so much. Lately he has been very moody and I think it is because of me. I really felt like this whole week Carden has just been not liking his Mommy. He cries when Daddy leaves for school and then is SOOOO happy when he comes home and just wants his DADDY!! It is really cute, but then at the same time hard. I feel like he gets mad when I hold him b/c there is the HUGE belly in the way. Carden has also been pretty fussy. Not like really fussy but he has been doing this fake kind of fuss that is just kind of annoying because he won't use his words to tell us what he wants. He is getting really good at saying things. You have to hear him say "crash" it is just so cute. His little mouth and smile are just great! I also love it when he says, "where is it?"

But anyways tonight at dinner it was just Carden and I (which is pretty much how every night is since Justin has classes till 9:30pm!) and we made red beef stroganoff with steamed broccoli and carrots. Carden ate all of it. He was even picking out my carrots and broccoli on my plate to eat. He ate the meat and the mushrooms! I am just amazed at what a good eater Carden is! I really don't know what I will do if I get a picky eater (which is how I was!). I guess I really need to start steaming more vegetables for dinner. My mom was always good at having at least one serving of stemmed vegetables as well as a salad for dinner every night. Justin and I always eat a salad or some kind of vegetable but I guess I should just always have a steamed one since Carden loves it and needs it!

Dancing Moms

LDS moms dance to replenish spiritual wells

This is the coolest article! It really makes me want to get a group together and just start performing! Tiffany lets do it together!

Bread making and MORE

Oh BIG belly! 42 and a half INCHES sticking out!!! Try that on!



Some WANTS! (Plus my WHITE TOYOTA SIENNA!) I better go listen to Elder Hales talk again!

I can't take credit for this BEAUTIFUL loaf of bread, but hopefully I will be able to make one just like it! Carden and I had a great morning! We got to go over to the Easton's home and learn how to make WHEAT bread! Carden was entertained the whole time playing with blocks, balls, the dog, and climbing stairs with Brother Easton. It was so wonderful! I was able to watch step by step on how to grind the wheat and make this beautiful loaf of bread! I really want to start making whole wheat bread. It is so yummy plus it will help me start to know ways to use our food storage (which we need to get going!!). We have a 72 hour kit and that is about it.

I guess we need a wheat grinder though. Maybe this will be our Christmas present!! Justin and I have been talking a lot about getting a VitaMix since we could then grind our own wheat as well as make healthy shakes and soups!

There is a great deal though at pleasanthillgrain.com where you can get a bosch and a nutrimill grinder for $600.00 plus free shipping!!!! That is a great deal seeing a bosch is worth about $500 alone!! I have a kitchen aid which will still do the job in making bread, it just won't hold as much as a bosch, but oh well. Anyways just thought I would let any of you out there know.

As for Christmas presents I feel like my list keeps getting longer and longer and too bad that all our precious money is going to have to go to buying a van. I'm not sad about it, but it just stinks having to really think about buying a van already. I mean really we could just scrunch all the kids in the back seat but then Justin won't be able to drive seeing how big and bulky car seats are!

I would also love to buy a double jogging stroller!! This would be a great purchase b/c all I do is walk/roller blade. I still need to do some shopping. I think I want the In-step double jogging stroller with the swivel wheel. Seeing this is the only way to put Carden to sleep I think it will be a definite NEED for the twins!

The Instep Suburban Safari Double Jogger Features:

• Jogger Stroller
• Easy-Fit Connections; 5-Point Harness
• Foot Activated Dual-Rear Parking Brake, Locking Wheels
• Multi-Position Reclining
• 1-Hand Fold Mechanism, 1-Hand Steering
• Footrest, Snack Holder
• Includes Sun Canopy
• 41L x 23.5W x 39H "

I think the biggest plus to this stroller is the multi-position reclining! This way I can take the twins on a walk and have them fall asleep at the same time! I still have to take Carden on a walk to get him to go down for his nap. Then I am thinking that while they are small I can put one in the Bjorn and then Carden and baby B in the stroller!!!! (I've been doing a LOT of thinking about this whole nap time thing!)

As for an update about the pregnancy... this will be Thursday at 36 weeks after I have another ultrasound! So far things are going really well! Babies are looking good, Mommies blood pressure is good, and belly is continuing to stick out! Just so you can have an idea my tummy sticks out at 41 inches!!! Yeah go measure that and see how you'd like to have your BELLY sticking out that far!!! Just kidding its even bigger today at 42 and a half inches!!! Plus there are feet and arms kicking like crazy and you can see these little heels moving all around. Then their heads are poking out and continue to move around. It is the weirdest feeling. It is pretty amazing that they are still okay in there.

Happy Halloween

Our Chicken Little! Carden actually did some trick-or-treating. It was cute seeing him follow his cousins up to each house to get some candy! He was lucky that they thought he was so cute that he ended up getting more than one piece of candy at each house!! Carden was content with the candy he got after just a few houses. The rest of the way he sat in the jogging stroller relaxing and eating a sucker!

WHAT cute PUMPKINS!!! Justin and I didn't even carve a pumpkin this year how sad huh. I don't think we carved pumpkins last year either. Next year we better get with it for Halloween! Luckily we made it to some trick or treating around the neighborhood. I was actually able to walk around with everyone being 35 weeks pregnant with twins!

We had a great Halloween with the Glenn family! They invited us over for some YUMMY white chili and we brought the corn bread! It was a great meal. We then went trick or treating around their neighborhood and it was so fun seeing them all run to each house to fill their bags with treats! THANKS GLENN family for letting us come with you guys!! It was so MUCH FUN!