David riding a bike

Riding bikes with dad

Purdue fountains

                                                                         Getting out and cooling off.

                                     Ruthie's light hair is a far cry from her jet black baby puff 2 years ago.

36 weeks

                                                                Ruthie calls the twins my "tummy babies".

Happy Father's day

Paul has wanted a bike for awhile.  One day last week he came home with a bike!  He is excited to ride to school and with the kids.  We love you dad. 

above average

One of the first questions Paul asked when we found out I was carrying twins was: "when will they come?".  The nurse stated that 35 weeks was the average amount of time mothers of twins delivered.  So, today I am above average!  I am 35 weeks and not in labor.  We are doing good.  This week I have felt better than previous weeks.  I think coming to terms that I will be in pain everyday helped. Before, when I had pain I was worried of preterm labor.  I have felt the prayers of family

 and friends.  I thank you for your prayers.  Thank you so much.

35 weeks * picture taken by Eden *

Tonight Eden prayed that the babies will be handsome.  Ruthie always wants to lift up my shirt and kiss the babies.  After she gives my tummy a kiss she says, "the babies are crying."  David is oblivious to my pregnancy and hounds me to have friends over, go to the park, swim at the pool, jump on the tramp, swing on the swings.  He is an active kid.  Paul is nice and has been a BIG help.  He asks me everyday what he can do to help.  That reminds me...I need to tell him to scrub the tub.  

The weather has been wonderful these past two weeks.  We have tried to enjoy it as much as possible.  Our garden is doing better than we expected.  The grass is turning brown, we need rain.  Paul has been running the hose at night, it is hard to hear the water run that long.  I am not looking forward to our water bill.  Sometimes I forget that people have sprinklers.

On Sunday the closing song was "I am a child of God."  It was so tender to see all my children singing!  Ruthie & Eden were the loudest.  It was a precious moment to have our whole family actually singing a song together in sacrament meeting.  

     

Camping

Paul took the kids to the stake family camp out on Mother's Day weekend.  They had fun.  I stayed home and cleaned the house, did laundry, hung pictures and worked on the car seat cushions with Kanien.  It was so nice to have the house ALL to myself.  Best Mother's Day present.  

34 weeks

                                                    Here I am.  34 weeks.  Gigantic!  Huge!  Enormous!  It's embarrassing to go out in public because every look and comment refers to the word, "POP".    

I have had 14 weeks to mentally and physically prepare for these twins.  Am I ready?  No.  In fact, I am becoming more and more anxious.  Everyday I rehearse names over in my head.  We have no names!  What is wrong with us?!   

I have this goal that every night when I go to bed my house will be sparkling clean ready for any situation.  This is not happening.  I am slow.  It's amazing how long it takes me to do things.  I look forward to the day when I can clean a bathroom in 10 minutes.  I apologize right now if you are the person who comes to my house spur of the moment.  I'm sure the bathroom will smell like pee (because with David's aim and Ruthie potty training...that is one area I can't seem to keep smelling fresh).

My mother is coming for a month.  I am counting down the days. 20 days now.  I am more excited to have her come than to deliver the babies.  I know that sounds terrible.  I just am a little nervous about 2 babies coming out!  Especially when the ultrasound tech said their heads are measuring bigger than normal.  Oh boy.

I have been so blessed.  It has been a problem free pregnancy.  I have not had any complications.  I am grateful for that.  I feel like the babies are healthy.  This has definitely been my hardest pregnancy...duh.  Being huge on the outside AND inside is an uncomfortable experience.   

                                                                          Let's talk about the cons:

I have a pinched nerve (at least that's what we think it is...feels like a cracked rib or a hernia) which constantly provides a sharp pain on my right side 24/7.  Going to the bathroom is a joke.  Seriously, I have never experienced this before.  The babies will move and I have to go to the bathroom.  Even if I went 2 minutes prior.  My legs cramp every night and I spend the whole day with sore calves.  I have a mustache from dark spots under my nose.  Sitting straight up is crazy uncomfortable.  The heart burn is terrible.  Any sudden movement makes me sweat and light headed.  My back, oh the aches and pains in my back.  Bending down is comical.  Basically...all the complainants of a woman's last week of pregnancy...only it lasts much longer than a week!       

                                                                        Now let's focus on the pros:

I am having twins!  Can you believe it?!  I seriously can't.

I get nervous and anxious before every delivery.  This is a trial of my faith.  I tend to lack faith and let fear take over.  You'd think a 30 year old women won't be afraid of a baby (or babies to be exact).  Am I strange?

I try to visualize what it will be like having 2 babies.  I just can't.  How do you pick up and hold 2 newborns at the same time?  I need to start giving myself motivational pep talks in the mirror.  Something like...."I am awesome.  I am Shera!  I can do this."

Thanks for the chat.  That's an update from me.  In case you were curious.