Introducing Henry and Charlie!!

Their birth story:

At 5:45 AM on October 9th 2013, my water broke! I was instantly filled with excitement and relief. Even though I had a lot of things planned for this day (the day before my scheduled induction) I felt good about the babies being ready and my body being ready. I was 37 weeks and 6 days. I guess these baby boys wanted their own birthday rather than share the day with daddy. :) When I woke Jeff up, I think he was a bit shocked, I had to tell him twice that my water broke.  

Then we started to scramble a little. All our plans for this day were out the window, many of which included getting prepared and finishing last minute details like packing my hospital bag! I called labor and delivery at the hospital to tell them I'd be in, and they wanted me to come immediately. I know myself, I'm not a fast laborer, so I told them I might be coming around 8:00. I hurried into the shower and Jeff called his mom to come watch Tommy. I texted some friends and my family- I was so excited! At 7:15 John and Julee our neighbors came over and Jeff and John gave me a beautiful blessing. I felt more calm (still anxious and a little scared) but reassured things would be ok. At 7:30 Jeff took the big boys to school and his mom came over. We were ready to head out! 

By 8:00 AM we were at the hospital all checked in and getting settled. They hooked me up to a bunch of monitors and got my IV started. My nurse was my neighbor Candis McMurdie who I grew up next to as a little girl. I knew she'd be great. She's been delivering babies as a nurse for 37 years! 

Things were progressing, but S-L-O-W-ly! I walked the halls for a good half an hour and tried to speed things up, but it was no use. I need that oxytocin otherwise known as the PIT.  Once that was going I got my epidural. At his point I was dilated to a 5 or maybe a 51/2.  Right after my epidural, my blood pressure tanked. It was scary low! 78, 80, I felt suddenly very sick, the room looked gray and I felt lifeless. They put a couple pints of water in me hoping to balance things out, but it still stayed low. My nurse stayed by my side. Jeff looked really worried and I could hardly look at him, it made me more nervous. I was scared I wouldn't have the strength to go through labor and I'd have to have an emergency c-section. It was music to my ears when my nurse said they were getting things ready for delivery in the OR. I almost didn't believe her that it wax really going to happen! They wheeled my bed down the hall and through the double doors. Jeff was all scrubbed in sporting his green scrubs and blue bonnet. The feeling in the room was unforgettable! I felt calm and happy, my blood pressure was still low, but I felt better than before. The nurses were excited, and as we waited for my doctor, we just hung in anticipation of meeting these two special little boys. 

When my dr. came I ready to push and only had to a few times! I was shocked! I was mentally prepared to push for at least 30-45 min. But next thing I know our little Henry was born! It was 4:31 pm. Tears came to my eyes immediately! I saw his cute little hair and body and was so overwhelmed with love and emotion! They rubbed him down and checked him over while he layed there all adorable and new. He weighed in at 7 lbs 10 oz and 20 inches long. Next it was time for baby B to be born. We were prepared for my dr to have to turn him because he was in a breech position, but just in time he turned on his own and was ready to make his way! What a good, smart boy! I barely pushed a couple of times and my dr said stop! He's coming! He was even easier than Henry! Smaller too. Our darling little Charlie was born at 4:39 PM. He was sooo cute and little! I loved finally getting to meet this little fella who was right at my heart for most of my pregnancy. I was in happy tears! He weighed in at 5 lbs 8 oz and 18 inches long. I was in awe at my two precious little babies! They were here! And healthy and cute as ever! 

After examining the babies, my Dr. The nurses and Jeff gathered around the placenta to check it out. Wierd huh? Well I guess it was really something. The two placentas had fused into one. One very large 10lbs at least placenta! After looking it over for a bit, my Dr. said wow, your little Charlie is a miracle. His umbelical cord had attached to the amniotic sack rather than to the centr if the placenta. The arteries and veins had grown a good 3 inches from there and attached to the edge of the placenta. His cord was so delicately attached that it is amazing he even got any nutrients at all ( probably why he was so much smaller than brother). She said that if I had been jarred or bumped hard during the pregnancy his cord could have detached and he would have died instantly and my life would have been endangered. Even then, if he had been baby A and my water broke, he would have died. It was perfect that he was Baby B and up high in my uterus. Talk about a great tender mercy that we have him today! How humbling and miraculous! He is a special boy and meant to be a part of our family! Henry too, I guess the cord was wrapped around his little neck, good thing he came when he did too! 

I am one very happy and thankful mama! I am only sad to think these could be my last babies. There is nothing in world like becoming a parent and bringing home that precious child or children. I love it and treasure this experience! 

Welcome Baby Wallis boys!! :) <3

My little football players

I have a million great pictures on my nice camera, but I just had to post these cell phone pictures! Calvin's football season gas come to an end. He absolutely loved every minute of it and wanted to go to the playoffs. :) (cute because they don't do playoffs in his league). But he had a blast and learned a lot. His team had a dinner/banquet and watched a slide show of their season. For only winning one game, these boys are so happy you'd think they took home the championship title! I love that about this age, they're just in it for the fun and friendships.  

Meanwhile Benny's season is just getting going. He's waited so long! Calvin cheers him on LOUDLY from the sidelines and wants to play so bad! :) they're pretty cute brothers. 

My Birthday and 37 weeks!

What a happy Birthday I had! It was a fun filled and busy day! My dear friends from the Primary presidency made me a delicious cake and breakfast and we visited for a while. It was so nice and relaxed and just perfect! Thank you ladies!! 

Jeff and Tommy and I went to my 37 week dr appointment in the afternoon and got see babies via ultrasound. Both are doing well, and the highlight was seeing Baby B's little face! We haven't seen faces since week 20! He looks so cute and even has some chubby cheeks! I am so ready to have these babies now! My Dr. called labor and delivery to schedule my induction for Oct 10th (Jeff's Birthday) :) Lucky guy! I wanted them to be born on MY birthday, but I'll take another week to get them good and healthy. I'm really hoping to be able to bring them both home from the hospital. I  am only dilated to a 3 and still 70% effaced, not a whole lot of contractions either, so it's really looking like the 10th will be the day. My Dr. says anything past 38 weeks for twins is cruel and unusual and I am glad she feels that way! I am so grateful that I've made it this far, I have really enjoyed being pregnant and aside from all the usual discomforts, I will miss feeling the bumps and kicks inside me. It is a blessing and a privilege to carry a baby and bring a new life into the world. I feel the burden of responsibility and motherhood weighing on my mind often, I worry about giving all my boys enough time and attention, I worry about their safety, their thoughts and feelings about school, friends, teachers, and the world.  And so many other things! I love being their mom. I am so happy to have two more little ones!! Especially as I watch Tommy getting so grown up! :) 

Later that evening we went to Benny's flag football game. Boy was he on fire!! He was scoring touchdowns and making almost every tackle (or rather pulling every flag)! It was so cold today and even hailed! I'll just pretend it was confetti for me! ;) 

After his awesome game, we got some Chinese takeout and came home to eat and watch a movie. My mom and dad stopped by and it was a really great day! I don't even feel 33! :) Feeling very blessed! :)

36 weeks!

Another appointment today, and things went so well that Dr. says the new goal is to deliver at 38 weeks! I have to say I was a little bit bummed. I was counting down the days almost on one hand to delivery! But how can I complain about healthy babies growing big and strong and making it even closer to my due date? I am just so grateful! My twin stretch marks are not so grateful, and my belly feels like I have a sunburn, but my body just won't let these babies go until they're  "fully cooked"! I hope they will be cute and chubby, I've been eating like crazy, and still lost 4-5 pounds this week! Maybe they're having a growth spurt!  I am only dilated  to a 2 1/2 and about 70% effaced, so no real threat of an earlier delivery at this point.  We listened to their heart beats for the non stress test today and baby A had some major hiccups, it was kinda funny...and loud! Baby B was moving a lot too and the heart monitor was just buzzing with sounds! 

Dr. M. asked Tommy what the babies' names will be and when he told her Charlie and Henry it sounded soooo cute! I still love the name Leo, but that may have to be a middle name or something, Jeff is not a fan. :/  

Jeff took me to Kneaders for lunch and we talked about how much fun we're going to have with our family of 5 boys! I'm so happy!!!! :)

My littlest school boy

Tommy started Joy School! He is so happy and feels like such a big boy! He gets to go to a neighbors house on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30-12:00 for a fun learning experience! It makes me a little sad to see him growing up and wanting to be so big! :/  When he left his first day he said, "it's different getting up so early, huh mom." and when he came home he said, "I can't believe I was gone all day!" :) He's so funny! I find myself giggling about the darndest things he says all the time. :) He does this wrinkled up little nose thing when he talks and gets so serious it just melts my heart!

One Dr. Appointment he came along and said as we were walking in, "I can't believe we get to see mommy's babies on the puter!" He also likes to hold my hand to comfort me and always helps me when I get up. He and and his big brothers have been so excited for the twins and extra sweet to me. I feel like one lucky girl that's for sure! 

35 weeks + 2 days!!

Whoa! That belly is getting big! I have a lot of baby growing right now! My recent appointment was great. We learned that baby A is growing like crazy and is estimated at 7lbs 9 oz. a whopping 2 weeks ahead of his due date, and baby B is perfectly on track at 5 lbs. 4 oz. I'm so relieved and thankful they are both getting bigger and healthy and strong. But I worry a little that I'll have some really big twiners! It's crazy to think that I have less than 2 weeks now! Getting anxious! :) 

33 weeks!

My babies are growing!!! Today's appointment went very well. Baby A is measuring at approx 5.1 lbs 33 weeks and 3 days and Baby B is approx 4.8 lbs. 33 weeks. That's 9.9 lbs of baby going on right now and I'm feeling it! I'm dilated to a 1 already and have been having Braxton hicks contractions daily. I know I'm not going into labor yet, and it's just my body's way of preparing, but the feeling takes me right back to the delivery room when I had Tommy and is sometimes painful! 

Good news is, both babies are head down now and  in proper position meaning no c-section! I'm so relieved about that! 

I start now with weekly visits to the Dr. and the non-stress tests. That will be a new experience for me and I hope the babes cooperate so I don't have to stay there for hours. :) 

On Saturday Calvin had a football game against Sky View and while I was sitting in my camp chair in the shade a couple came up to me. The man said, "I can't help it, I have to ask....are you having twins or triplets?" 

Whoa.....triplets? What? Really? 

"No," I said, "I'm just having one."

To that his wife slapped him across his shoulders and said something like, "I told you not to ask!"

Then I said I was kidding and I was really having twins. But seriously, I don't think I'd dare ask someone that! I had to give him a little bit of a hard time over it. 

"You just made my day" I thought to myself. :)

My big boys were so funny on Sunday. Jeff was at work and I was on my own the whole day with the 3 and as we climbed into the car to go to church I asked them all to be on their best behavior and to help mommy out. They all agreed and Tommy sincerely offered to help me get up when I needed to. Then I overheard Calvin and Ben talking in the back seat about how it would be pretty tough to lift mom right now, but Hulk could probably do it. "Yeah, Hulk could probably lift mom with one finger!" they said. They were also being sincere. :) I had to laugh, but I also thought my goodness is this what we've come to......we need the HULK to lift me up?!!!!  I suppose you know it's going to be a good day when it starts out like that!  Right? :) Turns out it was a good day, but a really long one! I attended 6 hours of church! A two hour mtg before church and a 1 hour mtg after! I guess I'm making up for all the Sunday's I'll miss during recovery and new babies and stuff. Thank goodness the boys were so good to tend themselves and get along so well, what a blessing!