Baby Photos... Yea!!!

Here is a shot of Sophie the smiler. She is full of personality, and probably a little gas.

Here are the girls ready to come home from the hospital. Lily Anne is in pink, and Sophie Jane is in blue.


Here's a good view in the darling blankets my mom made for them. You can see the differences really well in this photo. Sophie on the left had Dan's grown-up nose and skinny cheeks, her hair is thick and dark. Lily has Dan's baby nose and chubby cheeks. Her hair is thinner and lighter than Sophie's. They both have blue eyes. Good luck ever seeing Lily's eyes though, they're almost always closed.




Here's the proud daddy right after delivery. He was the best coach ever. He was so sweet and patient during my 20 hours of labor. I swear I had to make him reposition me every 15 minutes. He was as sweet as the bag of smarties he ate all day.




Now there's one happy excited big sister. I think she's holding Lily in this photo, but it's too small to see the details.

Here was my first view of the babes while I was still on the OR table getting stitched back up. Sophie Jane is on the left. Lily Anne is on the right. It was a relief to give them names so my mom could finally quit trying to come up with ridiculous names. Unfortunately she continues to make up nick names. Silly Grandma.

Here are the belly shots:


I really want to have these pictures in order from Feb. to now, but it's been so long since I've posted that I've forgotten how to do everything. I decided you'd all rather see the photos than have me spend all day and then give up. This first one was taken yesterday, May 24th. I'm 34 weeks along. About a month ago I measured 40 weeks for a single pregnancy. Last Wed. at the ultrasound they said baby A was 6 lbs. 1 oz, and baby B was 5 lbs. 6 oz. That's 11 1/2 pounds of baby. Holy cow!



Here's my brave bare belly shot on May 12th at 32 weeks 3 days. Crazy. I continue to be amazed that there are still no stretch marks. Here's hoping.


This was long long ago when I was kind of enjoying the pregnancy. This was taken clear back in February, the 26th to be exact. Ahh the good old days when sleeping was possible!



This is my March picture, the 27th. I was still able to wear the comfortable maternity jeans. I thought I was tired and uncomfortable then. Ha ha!
This was April 17th. We got to go up in a small airplane, it was awesome, but I got really sick to my stomach and the seats were uncomfortable. We went to a BBQ before the ride and people kept asking me when I was due. This is when I had to start explaining in the first few words that I was having twins.

Well, I hope you enjoy the freak show that is my belly. I don't know if I'll post again before the babies are born. I'm really hoping for next week, but the doctore says he still won't start me until the 15th of June. My only hope is some home remedy form of inducing labor. I'll let you know.

We've had a few requests for pregnant Holly pictures. She seems to finally be over the nausea stage, but really has to be careful not to over eat. Just a few extra bites can make the difference between feeling great, and feeling sick.

Holly's belly is really growing quickly, and she'll be at 21 weeks tomorrow (Saturday). The first picture was taken on the 2nd of February, the other two just over two weeks later on the 19th of February. As you can see, quite a difference!

Holly probably could add volumes to all of this, but she's upstairs taking a nap right now, so this will have to do. And yes, that is a potato in Holly's hand in the second pic. Yummy potatoes and gravy!!!

Our Trip to Oslo:




We got to see some kind of army or national guard. They were just standing here by the palace. We walked through the middle of them. It was a Sunday. I don't know what they were doing.

We walked a couple miles to a really cool sculpture park. It was huge. All the Norweigans were there playing in the snow with their kids. There were even a few accordian players out and about. It was kind of cold, but I guess they're even more used to it than we are.


This is the street we walked down toward the park. There were tons of cool old houses along the way. Really neat architecuture, like all of Europe. I wonder what real estate is like over there!


Holly standing in front of the palace. It's not the Louvre, but it was pretty cool.

I haven't posted forever because I think it takes too much time, but this was really fast. I should do it more often. Also, as an update, for those of you who I haven't sent a text to or called, I'm having two girls. It was very surprising since I was sure I'd see a little penis at the ultrasound, but Dan and I couldn't be happier. We are however accepting wedding donations and or collections of shot guns to ward of potential suitors in about 18 years. In the lyrical words of ABBA, we need money, money, money... Guess it's time to follow the prophet and start trying to practice the principles of self-reliance and provident living.
p.s. Look for future posts of my ever growing belly. I've taken a few shots, just none I like well enough to post. They're growing - fast - my skin is streeeetching!!! Yea cocoa butter.

Home Improvement

As many of you know, home improvement is a passion of mine as well as a necessity. I thought I'd post a few before and afters of some of the things we've done in this 104 year old house. It turns out I don't have as many of the before pics as I thought I did, I'll have to check Dan's computer.




Our latest project - Dan's really. It's more improved since this picture, he's finished the shelves for the components. He had to move the door frame 16 inches in order for the TV to be centered on the wall. It was a huge project. If he had known, I don't think we would have done it. But it's wonderful now!
This is the during when he had the wall ripped out. I couldn't find a before picture.
What the stairs look like now. This was my project. I surprised Dan with it one time while he was away on a 12 day trip - yes, it took all 12 days. My brother-in-law Nate helped me a little with figuring out how the nail guns worked and cutting a few angles.
This is the during, after I ripped off the carpet and pad
This was the nasty, disgusting, pee-stained by the previous tenants pets carpet that my adorable child was playing on before. I think I made a wise decision.


p.s. I tried to change our opening picture, and obviously i don't know how to get the right size on the picture. If any of you blogging goddesses out there can help, I'd appreciate it!

adorable

I am doing this post particularly for Kandy and mom, but all may enjoy. Kandy, this is the little coat that Grandma Ruby gave you when you were 2. Doesn't it clean up nice. I got tons of compliments on it at church. Ellie loves it, it is a princess coat.
Mom, remember this night when you bathed Ellie and fixed her hair so cute. I love you Grandma Kristi!

Here's a few Christmas pics so my blog is a little up-dated. I'll do more when I can kick this blasted headache.

I love to drive!
Thanks Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Dan


Presents, presents everywhere. Thanks Grandma Kristi.

Even Jewel gets presents!

Sweet play-dough! Thanks Santa.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!