Babies' First Tubbies

 This first picture is Henry and his first bath! (those stinky cords finally came off!) Tommy was such a great help to me. He washed the babies' toes and kept their washcloths warm and clean and held their little heads while I quickly snapped a few pictures! Both babies seemed a little shocked by the initial wetness of the bath, but each calmed down quickly and relaxed and enjoyed it. 

Here is Charlie.

I just love having freshly bathed babes! 

Charlie all wrapped up

2 weeks old!

Charlie and Henry

At two weeks these two are doing so great! They were both 3 oz. shy of their birth weight, but definitely healthy and growing. Henry weighed in at 7lbs 7 oz and 211/2 inches. Charlie weighed in at 5lbs 5 oz. and 19 1/2 inches.  They are sleeping a lot and sometimes I even wake up Charlie to feed him. He's not too great at breast feeding yet. It stresses me a little, I've never had a baby that needs so much more coaxing and tender care. I love him so much and worry when he seems week or lethargic. The dr quieted my fears however, and reassured me all is well with our little Charlie.  I asked if I should call a lactation consultant to help me with breastfeeding Charlie and the Dr. said to wait a few more days. Sometimes it just takes the little ones longer to gain the stamina necessary to nurse. 

Henry on the other hand is doing really well. He is much more vigorous about breast feeding and it's nice not to pump for every feeding! 

Calvin is so enamored by his baby brothers. Precious moments...

Good morning! When you're outnumbered, propping the bottle is the only option! 

Little Charlie with a big yawn

And a stretch....with a mad face...

Does this guy look pretty tired to you? I know, I'm mean.... I was really trying hard not to laugh at him, but I was cracking up! His face just says it all! :)

One Week old

My five little fellas and a couple of babydoll twins! Tommy has been taking excellent care of his twins who are also named Henry and Charlie. :) a picture would be complete without both sets! :)

Calvin being a great helper, and so loving.

I know it's hard to believe, my babies are already 1 week old! Time has gone by like a flash. I have really enjoyed these two precious babies, even if I've been up in the night, all night sometimes. It seems like every night gets better and better as we figure things out and get in sync with each other. I don't feel overwhelmed or like a crazy person yet either. My sister-in-law says I should watch out however, because what she calls the "2-week-snap" is now only one week away! maybe that's when it will all hit me!!??!! :) For now I'm just going to be happy in this dream-come-true land of mine and to heck with any impending "snap" ;) 

We have had lots of visitors lately, these cute little Sanchez twinsies wanted to hold the twinners, (at least Macie did) so we got a cute picture.  Calvin has been really helpful and loves holding a baby whenever he gets a chance. Anytime, that is, unless one does a stinky. Haha, Calvin says, "I hate holding a stinky  baby!" to which I usually say, "just hang in there a little longer I dont think so-and-so is done yet". And the faces Calvin makes are just priceless! :) All the big brothers have been super sweet and loving and gentle and protective towards their twin babies. I love watching them bond and feel like the luckiest gal alive! :) 

Happy one week to my little snugglers! :)

Charlie 

Henry

1st Days at Home

We love having these two home! We feel so blessed to be able to bring them both home without having to spend a minute in the NICU! Their first night home they kept Jeff and I up the whole entire night! We couldn't believe it! At least we knew it couldn't get any worse! No sleep is no sleep right? They did better the second night, keeping us up until 2:00 AM, then sleeping like they should. :) tonight is their 3rd night home and they had a fussy period from about 10:00PM until 1:00 Am and that's why I'm up blogging. :)

My mom and I and Tommy took them on today for their 5 day check up and they're doing great! They each lost 10 oz putting them at 7 lbs and 4 lbs 15 oz. Dr. Says they should be back up to their birth weight by their 2wk. appointment. 

It's good to see how they're doing, but a job to get them ready and out the door! Thanks to my mom and Tommy for helping this mama out! ;)

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! :)