Twins 3-4 months

My favorite melting-warm-belly moments happen when I see these two right by each other. 

I especially like it when I see them staring so intently at their pretty awesome Dad.

Iley is on the left in the above picture. The only reason I know that? Well, because I zoomed in on her right ear and didn't see a teeny bump on the outside of her ear.....like Wynn has.

YES, that is how I tell them apart. 

See? This is Wynn.

#spoiled

THANKFULLY they have another SUPER obvious difference between them. Iley sucks two fingers. Usually the first two.

And Miss Wynn sucks her thumb.

It makes pictures like these easy to tell Wynn from Iley.

Then there are other times that they are SO easy to tell apart. Sometimes their eyes look a little different shape. Iley's being more almond (top) and Wynn's being more circular.

But most of the time I sit and stare at them and just can't quite figure it out. I LOVE this picture I found in my phone. Super cute of both of them smiling at Brooks. Problem is? I don't know which one is which. #whatamom

Pictures like that make me remember how lucky I am. And how I completely hit the lottery with them...... like how I feel when I crack an egg and get twins! #score

Because these sweet lottery wins (or "Wynns"....bwhahaha) really are a ton of work. One day last week Aleeya stayed home from school because she was feeling sick. She was actually super helpful. 

(Aleeya and Wynn)

But at the end of the day she was sitting by me and I said, "Well, I sure didn't get anything done today." To which she responded, "Of course! You spend your whole day plugged into the wall getting milk or FEEDING the milk to the babies."

It's SO true. 

When she said that I felt so freed. Like I wanted to run around the neighborhood yelling 

"VALIDATION!!!!"

but I couldn't because then that would break my self-imposed hermit-status and I wouldn't want to do that.

I've needed to up my milk supply so I've been pumping a lot. It's like taking double the time to feed because you pump and then you feed. But there's TWO humans to feed, so does that mean it's quadrupled?

I don't know, but sometimes I can do this:

or this. #likeaboss

And other times, I enlist help. Because NOTHING says, "helpful" like a toddler.

Iley is being so patient with Everly and her aim....or lack thereof.

Speaking of PATIENT..... these babies just kinda have to go with the flow around here. And if that means playing the "baby doll", that's what it means.

#bumcheeksforthewin

Sometimes it means being left somewhere and ditched during playtime, only to discover you mind as well just take a nap where you're left.

Who wants to play, "I spy a sleeping baby?"

Regardless, these girls are super loved.

(Kellyn and Wynn)

We've had to become more "creative" with their sleeping arrangements. 2 months ago they started rolling/scooting around and would ram into the other and wake her up. So Brooks put a large diaper box between them at night (no one likes snuggling with a diaper box). Then I NEEDED the diaper box and Brooks came up with his genius plan to put a pillow UNDER the mattress in the middle so there was a slight hump. They both had their little sides of the hump. But still slept in the same bed and could hear each other.

(I prefer them sleeping together because it's so sweet. Sure I can move one to a port a crib, but where's the fun in that?!)

Recently I kept finding Iley on her belly, propped up on her elbows peering over the hump at her sister. Next thing I know, the next day she has rolled OVER the hump and joined Wynn on the other side. Kind of in the "Bear went over the mountain" kind of way.

Then Brooks came up with a NEW suggestion. Switch sides, because Iley was REALLY good at rolling left. That worked for all of a week because now she joins Wynn and wakes her up on the right side of the bed now. #babyrollinggenius #poorWynn

It's when I lay them down side-by-side though that I'm reminded how truly awesome this is.

(check the ear, I betcha you can tell the difference now too!)

I was thinking that it was THIS time last year that I was praying and had the GALL to ask something pretty specific of Heavenly Father. It was right before I got pregnant and I spoke honestly in saying that I was SO tired of being pregnant and it was so hard on me. I felt the prompting to go forward though and said, "Okay, but if there are more spirits that need to come to my family, could you just send them down at the same time? Because I don't know if I can do this again."

And along came these two.

My little answers to prayer.

Grandma to the Rescue

Taking care of 8 kids for 4 days (ESPECIALLY when they aren't yours) requires an act of heroism.... or heroinism as the case may be. 

Grandma (Brooks' mom) is pretty amazing. As soon as she walked in the door and gave me a hug she was whisked away to the girls' room and was listening to their favorite songs, reading books and given a THOROUGH (embarrasing) tour of the house. (Pat looks so pretty in this picture)

As I mentioned before she watched all 10 kids that night for a date night for Brooks and me. I love this picture of her "juggling" the twins......#IKnowtheFeeling

During some MAJOR Olypics watching

While we were in Utah the kids had the best time. I stole some pictures from her so the kids can remember this time with her. 

She took them to the neighborhood pool!...... where Royce was the only one swimming in his socks there. #imagineTHAT  #shortsAlmostFallingOff

And what a LOVELY picture of Iris who for SURE isn't going through an awkward stage or anything.

When you're a Grandma you can make waffles and ice cream for breakfast!!!!

(Side note: WHO has the kids dressed and hair done for BREAKFAST?!?!? Grandma, that's who.)

#prettiestsmile

Getting all 8 kids ready for church I'm sure was quite the task, not to mention dealing with them THERE. I laughed when I saw this picture with the twins' carseat bases being used as scripture holders.

I just loved seeing her and picturing her driving the Yeti around.

Well, she ALSO had two school mornings to deal with. She woke them up at 6 for scriptures and served them breakfast ..... COMBINED with the occasional morning meltdowns! Wow, she's so lucky!

This is Iris mad at Grandma for putting butter on her toast (I always put butter on her toast!!!!)

#ifLooksCouldKill

The older kids go down to the pond/Common's Area by themselves quite often, but I love how she went and caught pictures of them there.

Here's Camden fishing.....he does it a few times a week in the neighborhood's catch and release pond. Can you BLAME the kid for needing some alone time?!?!

Bronson set a goal starting August 1st that he would practice basketball drills for one hour every day (except Sundays) and he is STILL going strong through September.

Grandma took the younger kids to the neighborhood playground.

Man, those swings just look so..... uh....... comfortable!

Part of being a Grandma is giving "Tech Time" to the kids. Clearly, they love it.

During the day with the littles she went to PetSmart and another day to the Zoo!!! (It's free here)

This hippo picture is SO cool... and obviously from the zoo.....NOT from PetSmart. ;)

Thank you THANK YOU Grandma

Baby Blessing Change of Plans

Wynn and Iley's baby blessing was going to be the first Sunday in August when Camden received the Priesthood. My parents were going to drive out for both of the events. When they were a day's journey into their trip there were a few signs that something was up with Dad's health. They stopped at the Urgent Care in Wyoming and decided to turn around and go home. We were disappointed and so were they!!!

That Friday Dad went into the hospital for some final test results from his blood being drawn.

Dad was diagnosed with AML (acute myeloid leukemia). And this is him in the hospital after receiving the news.

My dad (and mom) was so strong. Even after getting the "you have weeks to live" talk, I still couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing about. They had many family get-togethers, went to a lake, Pickleville Playhouse, still played the piano in Primary for his calling at church, etc. 

I also KNEW I needed to get back there. Which is hard with 10 kids, a husband in training and two of the kids being nursing infants. School started that week too. Thankfully my mother-in-law came to the rescue and came out to watch the kids while Brooks, the twins and I flew back to Utah. She's kinda one of those ladies that can do anything. And even babysat everyone so Brooks and I could sneak away to the temple and out for a treat after too.

We left for the airport at 5am with the twins. This kinda shows our emotions for getting on the plane with the girlies....

THANKFULLY and MIRACULOUSLY we were each given our own benches (not allowed to sit by each other due to lack of oxygen masks) and the twins basically slept the whole three hour flight.

Once we drove up to my parents house it started the 4 days of the twinsy being spoiled and never put down.

Wynn's face in here cracked me up.

I was SO glad and relieved to see my Dad. There's just something comforting about laying my head on his shoulder. There always has been.

Aaaaaaand there were also so not so flattering pictures taken too. 

Actually this is my last picture with my parents and me together. What a treasure.

I was so excited to show off introduce my babies to my dad. I think they liked him.

It was so perfect and calming to just sit outside in the SOFT grass (only Utah has that grass) and visit with dad. We recorded stories from his life and I was also able to ask Dad a lot of my questions about what he thinks about, is going through, what he will be doing after he dies. Basically to hear of the peace and gratitude he was feeling. I will treasure that hour I had outside with him because during our visit he was upstairs resting a lot.

In the meantime, Brooks had two little nieces who never wanted to leave his side.

He's such a good sport and loves those girls. But his face I caught here made me laugh.

The girls were passed around from cousin to cousin and I just love these pictures.

(Wynn has the purple binki and iley has the pink)

Uncle Jim had a particular magic touch with them and even kept her asleep while talking to my brother Chris.

No doubt about it, they remember their Aunt Wa. (iley)

Not only was it THEIR first time meeing Uncle Keith (my "injun" brother) but it was my first time meeing his wife Regina.....who ALSO had a sleeping touch with the girls.

Although this boys aren't twins, it still looks like cousins-double-twin sets. Talk about the most comfortable arms ever!

Sunday was the day we were planning on blessing the babies. It was my greatest hope to have Dad there. But even MORE I told Brooks the week before that all I wanted was ONE more Father's Blessing from my Dad and to feel his hands on my shoulders and head one more time. Sunday morning I got that chance. He had a huge turn for the bad that morning and was in a lot of pain. He couldn't raise his hands up to my head so I sat on the floor while he sat on the side of the bed. 

Before he gave the blessing he talked about faith with me while his large and ecompassing hands were on my shoulders.....just like I wanted.

The blessing was beautiful and OH SO comforting. I knew it would be the last one he would give me and I just treasured every one of his words. Sunday he really needed to rest a lot and wasn't able to make it to church that day....but he still got ready for the Sabbath Day.

Later during the day the menfolk went upstairs to all give Dad a blessing.

It was a very emotional time for us all....but a treasure.

Lizzie and Emma were so sweet to take care of their cousins while all the adults were upstairs during that sacred time.

It was time to get these girls ready for their blessings. I wish I could turn this picture, but it STILL is one of my favorite pictures of my skinny chickens. (Wynn on the right)

I felt like the whole visit was a cry/laugh fest. But this sweet moment was so special.

Dad didn't have the strength to stand in the circle but he did make it down the stairs for the event.

Wynn Mary's blessing was first since she is oldest. In the circle for both of the blessings was Brooks, RA, Uncle Keith, Uncle Rhett, Uncle Matt, Uncle Jim, Uncle Patrick and Bishop Hadfield

Iley May started getting a tad fussy during her blessing. Maybe that's why Brooks a few times referred to her as "it". I don't know. ;)

He also had to re-do the first part of the blessing for forgetting to word it correctly at the beginning. It was the shortest (2nd) blessing ever. Reminded me of Dad's food prayers around the table growing up.....

Afterward Dad took the time to bear his last testimony to the whole family. He had a hard time formulating sentences but what he DID keep stressing was that "Jesus Christ is the key to happiness". I will never forget it.

Then Dad was helped outside for endless pictures. He was such a good sport. 

Here are the kids with their spouses/girlfriends and the like.

Mom and Dad with all 8 of their kids (in order of age)

Last picture with all of us together.

Grams and Grampy with all their grandkids minus 10 (8 of them missing being my kids)

Miss Wynn and Miss Iley with their grandpas on their big day.

I wanted a picture of them with Grams and Grampy too but Wynn didn't want to cooperate for Grampy.

Lots of pictures with cousins to go along with all the food we were eating.......while I went around and drank out of everyone's cups. Because that's what I do.

Alexandra and Iley

Aunt Mindi, Me and my niece Ethany

My sisters were probably tired of me taking pictures of them with my girls. But I couldn't stop. It made my heart so happy to share my girls with two of my favorite girls on earth.

You know, this whole twin-mom thing would be a LOT easier if my sisters could just come live with me......

Mom with her (blotchy faced) girls

Liberty and Abby with Iley

The girls with Grams. I just love this picture

The next day was Monday.....and everyone had gone. Brooks helped with stuff around the house and I would sneak upstairs to catch Dad during his brief awake times to chat. We chatted about his favorite scripture, advice on how to raise a large family, stories from his past with lessons on forgiveness and sometimes I would just sit by him. Nothing like trying to sleep with someone just sitting and watching you right?

I was able to help clean some bathrooms too.....between times of doing THIS..... buttons popping and all!

Is amazing how much you CAN'T get done with these two angels around.

It's kinda hard to stop staring at them though.....even when one of them IS losing it.

iley sat there with this look on her face while Wynn was crying. Not sure she was very sympathetic to Wynn's issues.

Tuesday morning Dad woke up feeling better then he had in days. He was even able to come down the stairs and join us around the table while we ate breakfast and tried to get him to eat something.

I knew it was my last few moments with Dad. My heart was kinda breaking.

The last hug took me everything I had not to just lose it. I love that man so much.

My last earthly memory of Dad was as Brooks and I were pulling out of their driveway and we saw Mom and Dad standing in the doorway smiling and waving. 

Possibly my favorite memory of all.

Brooks let me just let it all out on the way to the airport......and thankfully didn't make any comments on the sounds I was making.

The flight home was great with the babies, except the last 20 minutes with Brooks and iley. She was hungry and 6 rows back with Brooks and none of us could stand up out of our seats in the decent. Wynn just sat on my lap content having just eaten herself. #payback

What a beautiful trip. I was so grateful to have taken it, especially that Brooks could come and help me emotionally and with the babies. All that is thanks to Pat for flying out to help with the rest of the crew.