{Kids}

 Only fake creatures for this son of mine!

 This day he liked his coat, the next he didn't. The same thing happened with his new snow coat. I finally got to the root of the problem- a girl at school keeps telling him he looks funny! Ah, kids!!!

He still LOVES dress up-and has a million persona's!

 Especially with these new rain boots grandma sent for Christmas. Grandma came through when I couldn't find rain boots in Utah- only snow boots!

Opening his boots. He wants EVERYTHING for Christmas! If I didn't know his sweet tender heart I'd think he was greedy; I think it's being 5! Easy to please!

 Trying on her Halloween costume- a nerd.

 Jersey day for school spirit week.

 Enjoying the sun at the park on a brisk Fall afternoon.

Trying out her new curlers.

Step 1

Yikes!!!

Step 2

More acceptable (i.e. less laughing)

Step 3

Step 4 (not pictured-very cute)!

 Early morning mission to complete the vintage nursery at this vintage flea market!

 Ready for outdoor school!

Thanksgiving! Yes, we celebrated a week earlier and had the most unusual Thanksgiving this year. The day started at 5AM with some black Friday shopping, a movie around lunch time, dinner at IHop, and Christmas decorating to name a few things.

Shopping at Smiths (the closest thing next to Fred Meyer but owned by Kroger).

{Thank you}

For all the non- Facebook and Instagram users, sending you some love! Thanks for inspiring me to keep this up for keepsakes. Someday I will get books made of this blog!

{Nesting Mode}

I know most people nest at the end of their pregnancies, but honestly, I don't do anything last minute.

Really, I am a planner and so it's no surprise I've been planning this nursery for years, right?

Originally, I thought we would be having 1 child so I immediately bought a stroller. I bought used for the first time and that backfired when I had to sell it the next week after finding out about the twins.

I couldn't find the same one in a double for a good deal after weeks of looking, but I did find a coupon (thank you OB office for 12 free magazines) and I bought a new one.

 My mind is going crazy with everything to buy and I just keep telling myself, it will happen with time. It will help when we know what we're having.

We have bought 2 cribs although one shipped and the other isn't coming for 3-4 months (which freaks me out and frustrates me), I have the 2 mattresses (thank you Amazon for the deal), and my "Abundance" diaper bag PPB for multiples.

So, I guess I can stop overthinking things when I'm ready!

Vintage theme! So in love with this color!

I'm just waiting to know the sex for the real decorating but I already have fabrics for g/g, b/b, and g/b possibilities.

It is really fun and overwhelming at the same time!

{Chalk the Block}

We may not have "Sand in the City" here but we have "Chalk the Block!" I loved it! Such talent!

 This was my favorite; drawn by a group of sisters.

 The kids using their chalk souvenirs at home.

Ryley chalking the block with a squid.

(Back-to-School Girls Night}

Let me start out by saying our love for parties has not ceased since moving; HOWEVER, finding people to come has become a lame endeavor. Maisey has many friends but our success at getting them to attend/reciprocate at all and for the last 3 parties has been frustrating (especially to her).

 

Chad and I, or at least I am in the same boat. Everybody is busy with extended family and I guess friends are not a priority. We are hoping to make some by the holidays however because we have spend the last several (Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Octoberfest- can I milk this anymore), without family or friends.

 Maisey and her closest friends who always come through.

 Sundaes

Bracelet and hair making supplies.

{The Kids}

 Ry running laps at Dicks while buying new soccer cleats.

 Playing at Jump on It Trampoline Park after an early Sat. soccer game.

 Swinging onto the tramps.

 Maisey's been back at dance at the beautiful, beautiful "Dance Club." The facility is

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It's nice to see a place put so much love (aka $) into their second home!

 Ry ends the soccer season this week. He will play with the same kids in March. Same uniform, team name and all.

 

Girls night back-to-school dinner.

{It's that time}

Time for maternity pants that is.

 13 week photo.

 Round as can be but I'm not feeling bad since I've had no weight gain and my uterus is 6-8 weeks ahead of a singleton pregnancy.

{Repugnant}

I have had a million things on my mind lately. That really isn't anything new, but waking up for 2.5 to 3 hours a night is, so I guess I have more thinking time.

 

The other day I read an article by Tim Gunn. Being the anti media lady I am, I actually didn't know who he was although I had heard his name. Well, if you don't know either, he's an American fashion consultant, icon, and T.V. personality- according to the article.

 

Now, to the article. He said plus size clothing lines are "Repugnant" and that he can't understand why fashion designers don't want to touch the plus-size market. He went on to state that what plus-size lines have to offer make him want to jump out the department store window!!!

 

I hope his words are heard loud and clear! I hate the limited supply stores have. Now, if you're reading this you are probably one of the many people who say, "Whatever, you always look so cute." BUT, that is not how I feel when I shop. Shopping is NOT fun. I feel forced into a little box. The next time you're at Target even, (not that I recommend shopping there because there clothes fall apart), look at the ENORMOUS ladies section and then look at the 3 small racks of plus size! On those 3 racks you might see 1 cute thing!

 

Tim Gunn, I may have not known who you were a week ago, but I LOVE what you have to say. While you're lecturing designers, would you ask why Lane Bryant and almost every other retailer quit making maternity clothes too??? I was "Googling" where to shop and came across threads where women say they just live in sweats during their pregnancies because they can't find clothes in their size! SWEATS? I don't even own any and have that as an option, especially as a professional!

 

And if you are thinking, "Lose weight," well, that isn't easy either! Don't even get me started on some of the remarks I found online concerning overweight pregnant women.

   

{Doc, You're Joking}

Twins?

I was trying to put off going to the doctor for several weeks because I wanted to avoid the transvaginal ultrasound. I haven't been to the doctor in a little over 5 years (since I had Ry), with the exception of urgent care for pink eye or an ear infection but I thought I should buck up and face reality.

 I was only able to get the 3rd doctor of my choosing but I called and arranged an appointment a couple weeks back.  

I mustard up the courage to go (lots of mindfulness meditation so I wouldn't be quivering for the doctor), and, now I'm glad I went.  

 Just after the oh so lovely exam and then the ultrasound (pics were taken), during the conclusion I mentioned how my coworker was having triplets the day after me.

Right at that time the instrument maneuvered left and the doc says,

 "Well, you're having twins" (ever so plainly).

I had avoided making eye contact throughout the visit like most uncomfortable women during an exam, but our eyes connected instantaneously once he spoke. I said, "Doc, You're Joking" (followed by lots of laughter).

He said, "Nope, see the two heartbeats." The rest was pretty much a blur.

All I remember asking was what the chances of survival were and he said "Great, full-term, 38 weeks."

I dressed and was in shock... Word vomit coming out non-stop.

"Chad, are you okay?"

"Chad, what do you think?"

"Chad, are you okay?"

"Chad, I feel bad for you since I will be at work part of the time."

 Well, Chad was/is happy. He LOVES babies and has asked for hundreds in the 11 years we've been married.

We have waited so long and patiently!

After having Maisey when things became hard I convinced myself we couldn't have more. BUT, my patriarchal blessing said "children" and I always clung to that! 

(The original take home picture of 1)

The Doc S-E-R-I-O-U-S-L-Y almost missed baby 'B.' If I hadn't talked of multiples, I'm convinced we would be like my friends sister who didn't know she was having twins till her 20 week appointment.

Twins!

I already bought a stroller so now I'm trying to sell it. We are D-Y-I-N-G to find out their sexes because we have to start over entirely!
My mind is RACING over their anatomy!!!
We started over with Ry, and then with these 2.

So much to buy!

After some shock, well, I'm still in shock and everybody is getting tired of hearing me says, "twins?" we are accepting this blessing and we are happy to complete our family.

Funny thing, I used to pray for twins ALWAYS. With infertility with Ry I thought we might actually get them. This time, I was NOT praying for twins, or doing any fertility!

The cliché,"Good things happen to those who wait" is coming to my mind, but really, I know so many who have never been able to overcome the battle of infertility and so I know that is not really the case.
EDD 3/16/14 but ETA 2/2014.

Here's to double the prayers!

Ryley drew this at church today. I am most definitely not flaunting his art "skills," but the thoughtfulness and excitement he has.
Both kids are ecstatic! We all are- and still in shock!

{Saturday Morning}

After 5 months of living here I was craving donuts.

 Then I took the kids to skate, jump, and climb. See, Utah has indoor toys not only for the snow, but the heat.

{Saratoga Springs}

Another fun park.

And there is so much more not pictured!

{Catching up}

Although still too hot for us Oregonians, we are braving the heat and finally making it to some parks in the evening.

 

 My great Aunt Alyce came to visit and I was terrible at getting pictures- of us! But, we had a great time at the water park, listening to the Tabernacle Choir's Pioneer Day Concert, and eating ice cream!

 Ice cream made with Nitrogen.

 The kids came to work with me for a client one morning. They weren't in session but they had more fun in the office over.

 A fun Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove we finally checked out. It's like the one we took the kids too in Hood River so Maisey LOVES it- although she's really not into parks anymore.

Summer has been fun as usual and unusually unstructured.