I CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE!

This photo was taken during a trip home to Utah in October 2006. I was pregnant with Zoe at the time, but I kept teasing and saying that I was sure I was going to have twins...one boy & one girl. Here I am practicing for twins with two baby dolls. Isn't life funny? Now, lo & behold, 2 years later, almost to the exact month & date, I will be holding REAL twins...

...one boy & one girl!

I have been wanting to find a way to work from home ~ maybe I should set up a hotline where people can call me & I will predict what they will be doing in 2 years! What do you think? Give me a call at 1-888-futureU!

Back to Bi-Weekly

Great news! I went for another ultrasound this week to check the blood volumes in the twins' brains. Both were still within the normal range. Because we have now had several consistent reads within average ranges, our maternal fetal specialist said we don't have to continue to come back every Monday. He asked that we come back in 2 weeks, instead! We will also do another growth measurement at that appointment. Halleluiah! We are so glad these little ones aren't showing any signs of distress or anemia...thanks for all of your prayers, thoughts, & support. The pictures on the left are of baby boy's face ~ front facing & the pictures on the right are of baby girls' profile. Pictures only a mother could love! I am so excited to meet them face to face in a few more short months!

Kermit & Kousins

We recently discovered that we had a whole family of toads living in one of our window wells. This week Austin & Wes headed up a successful rescue effort for the frog fam. All amphibians are now safe and sound in the wild Michigan woods behind our home. Good job, boys!

Labor Day Picnic At Lower Huron Metro Park

Uncle Austin, Wesley, Zoe, Dejvis, Uncle Denis, & Aunt Anisa

Labor Day Fun with friends from Albania
Zbug picnics with Ola & Dejvis
Zoe & Aunt Anisa
Playing soccer with Dejvis
Zoe & Uncle Denis

GO UTES!!!!

Last Saturday Wesley & Austin went to the Big House in Ann Arbor for the season opener between the Michigan Wolverines & the Runnin' Utah Utes! Zoe & I camped out in the basement for 4 hours & watched the game on TV. What a rush!!!!! The boys from the U put on a great show & I couldn't be happier that my alma mater kicked some midwest big ten Michigan booty! My blood is still red ~ UTAH UTAH UTAH UTES!

Wesley watches the Democratic National Convention

as Zoe dreams of President Obama.
A Father's Love

I often tease Welsey these days that I am neglected. I tell him that someone else has stolen his heart, and I am second best. In truth though, I am so grateful to have such a loving father for my children. Wes is absolutely amazing with Zoe. He is so patient, creative, engaging, and kind. He inspires me to become a better mother. Almost every night Zoe will go and find her fancy foot lotion, carry it out to her dad, and point to her toes. He gladly picks her up, strips off her socks & shoes, and gives her a lovely 20 minute foot massage! She has become quite a daddy's girl lately. She often points to her forehead to make the ASL sign for daddy and wants to know where he is and when he is coming back. When Wes leaves for work in the morning she often stands at the front door and cries for several minutes. Their love is pure, unconditional, inspirational, and eternal. It's awesome to witness....

...and I don't mind at all taking a back seat to a love like that! :)

28 weeks & 42 inches

Do not adjust your monitors, that really is my actual belly these days. I have officially hit 28 weeks with a 42 " waist line. Fascinating what the human body can do, hu? We had another doppler ultrasound today. I love to see those kids swimming, kicking, & waving from within my womb. I just lie there on the table with a big giddy grin on my face the entire 60 minutes. There was good news today, both brains are showing average blood flow, so we aren't seeing any signs of distress or anemia ~ fluids are good, placentas are great, cords are strong, & growth is optimal. Both babies measured in the 60+% for their estimated weights....a hefty 2.5 lbs a piece. In addition, both babies are head down!!!! I feel so blessed to be carrying twins and even more blessed that everything has continued to work itself out time after time. We will continue to do weekly dopplers ~ just to keep a close eye on these little ones, but my doctors are hopeful that we can keep them safe in my belly for at least another 6 weeks. I sure hope so. I want FAT, HEALTHY, HAPPY babies that know how to breathe, suck, & swallow! :) I will continue to send them good vibes each day! We want to thank all of you who remember us in your daily thoughts & prayers. We certainly appreciate all of your love, care, & support. Thanks also to all of our friends who continue to help out with Zoe while we go to 60million doctor appts. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such angels.

Watch out Bono, Zoe is rockin' this stage.

"I'm a super star!"

Zoe's first real pig tails!

I love my dad & mom.

One of Zoe's favorite new activities is to go in the nursery & play with all of the babies' toys. She loves to climb in their bouncy chairs, kick back, and pretend to be a newborn. What a crazy kid.

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

This Sunday, August 3, was Wesley's 30th birthday! We celebrated by going to Lower Huron Metro Park & having a yummy BBQ. We played games & enjoyed the sunshine & each other's company. It was a great afternoon. Happy Bday Wes! WE LOVE YOU.

Zoe in Training

Last week I bought Zbug two baby dolls so she could start practicing her big sister skills. She loves them! She carries them everywhere she goes & takes them for fifty walks a day in their stroller. She is certainly on her way to being the best big sister ever!

Cheeto Face....covered in orange dust from too many cheetos!

25 Weeks

At the request of friends & family back home, I am posting a few pics of my ever-expanding physique! I am now officially as big now as I was with Zoe at 32 weeks....which I have been told is "normal", considering there are TWO healthy, happy babies in my belly, but somehow when I look in the mirror, "normal" is not the first word that comes to mind! Ha ha.

Zoe's favorite things....
....smelling flowers.....
....playing dress up......
...looking pretty....
....doing her hair!

What a GIRL! We love her.

BIG sister Zoe

What happened to my baby girl? Zoe is so grown up these days. She is super independent & incredibly smart! She has about 12 ASL signs that she does on a daily basis. She has so much to tell us ~ she is constantly singing or jabbering about something! She loves being outside,reading books, having friends over for playdates, drinking from a straw, giving kisses on the lips, & playing dress up. She goes to her closet or dresser several times a day & picks out a new outfit. She loves to change her clothes & accessorize! She is always putting on a hat, necklace, or jacket. This kid cracks me up every single day!

She is the best & I am so lucky to be her mom.

NO doubt ~ she will be a fantastic big sister!

Let Freedom Ring....

For the 4th of July this year we attended a church picnic during the day, and Wesley & Austin put on a fancy fireworks display in our driveway that night. As you can see, Tyke was fascinated, but Zoe was a little freaked out. Austin rode up & down the street waving a firecracker torch above his head like the Statue of Liberty! Our neighbors next door even came outside to enjoy the spectacle!

Greetings From Within the Womb...

...We Come in Peace

Today we went to our second doppler ultrasound for the twins, and we are so grateful to announce that so far everything still looks great! The babies were each measured at 12 oz and 7 inches long ~ average size for a singleton baby at their gestational age of 5 months. Their arms & legs & hearts & brains all look healthy & normal. The bloodflow to their brains was scanned & there is no sign of anemia, which we have been praying for considering the complications that could occur with the negative E antibody detected in my bloodwork. They were both super active...swimming, spinning, kicking, & waving. You can see their cute little hands in the pictures on the right & their heads bumping together in the picture on the left.

Thanks for all of your prayers & support.

Wesley & Austin bought new long boards this week for early bday presents to one another. Zoe immediately fell in love with the idea of boarding & started shredding it up in the living room. She amazed us with her skills. She is seriously talented at skateboarding. How funny.


Ride on, little sista!

Wesley had this week off from work, so we went on lots of great adventures together! One of our favorite outings was Kensington Park. It is a beautiful lake surrounded by an 8 mile hike/bike trail, tons of playgrounds, two beaches, a golf course, a petting zoo, & nature center. We took Tyke & had a blast! Wes even found us a special treat ~ wild raspberries! Yum.

Tyke & Zoe watch dad gather raspberries.

YUMMY!