More to Come

I promise I'm going to update my blog soon.  I've almost found time here and there.  But somehow I get sucked back in by these four beautiful creatures I call children.  They need so much of my attention right now, especially the babies.  I love them so much!  And I find so much joy in being their mommy!  (Can you tell I'm getting a bit more sleep lately?)  I'll give you one picture to whet your appetite for now.  Hopefully I'll get back here soon because there is so much more to post . . . pictures, birth story, Halloween, Christmas, etc.  I think the catch up post(s) will just have to be the Reader's Digest version--short and sweet. 

Quick Update

Peyton (not sure what that face is about), Mor Mor (my mom), Maryam, Braden, and Natalie

I can't believe two months have already passed! What a whirlwind!

Braden Anders and Natalie Catherine were born October 8th at 2:56 am and 3:01 am. I'll post more about their birth soon (hopefully). Since then, my days have been filled with nursing/diapering/soothing babies, caring for and playing with Peyton and Maryam, trying to keep up with my house, hosting Thanksgiving and baby blessings, and very little sleep. I'm starting to feel like I have the hang of this, and we sort of have a normal schedule. Sort of. I actually made it to church today--for the second week in a row. And the babies and I stayed for all three hours of church for the first time since they were born. I haven't attended three hours of church for about three months now. During the last month of this pregnancy I would go for Sacrament Meeting and then come home to rest. I'm really proud of us for staying the whole time today. That was my goal last week too, but it just didn't work.

Peyton gave his first talk in Primary today. He did about half of the first sentence, looked up, saw all the kids and teachers, and got stage fright. He started to cry, and Tobin had to give the rest of the talk for him. Poor kid! He was so excited to give a talk. Maryam has given two this year, and each time Peyton was disappointed that he didn't get a turn yet. He decided to be proactive and a couple weeks ago he asked the Primary presidency if he could give a talk. Hopefully next time he won't be so frightened and will give the talk himself.

I'm sure there's so much more to post, but I'm out of time. The babies are hungry . . . again! That is the story of my life right now. I'm savoring every moment with these precious miracles. This is the last time we'll have babies in our house. I know I'm going to long for these days again later, so I'm soaking in every minute right now.

Still No Babies

Well, friends, my blog silence does not indicate the arrival of the newest Moon twins. It indicates my frustration with their lack of arrival. I haven't blogged because I don't want to complain. It is such a huge miracle and blessing for us to be pregnant at all. I'm so thankful Heavenly Father gave us this opportunity. That being said, can someone please get these people out of me now?!?!?!

I will reach 37 weeks as of tomorrow. That is two full weeks longer than Peyton and Maryam gestated. I'm scheduled to be induced next Thursday, if labor doesn't begin before then. I can't really imagine one more week of this torture. Tobin and I saw my doctor yesterday. The babies are looking good--and HUGE! The doctor asked how I am doing and I told him that I'm beyond miserable now. He is truly sympathetic, but he can't induce me before 38 weeks. He measured my belly and said, "No wonder you are miserable. You are measuring 6 weeks overdue!" (If I was only pregnant with one baby, that is.) He checked my cervix and found that I am about 1.5-2 cm dilated. He can't strip my membranes this early, but he did a rigorous exam. I think this is his merciful way of trying to help move things along. I get to go back to see him again next Monday, unless the babies come before then. He said he would bet I don't make it to that appointment on Monday. But then again, he thought I would have these babies around 36 weeks.

The doctor told me to do whatever I can to stay comfortable at this point: crank up the AC (it's super hot here this week), keep my feet up, rest, etc. Tobin suggested entering me in a marathon instead so we could try to get labor started. Speaking of my lovely husband, I have to mention another thing about him. When the nurse first called me back yesterday, she took my vitals, weight, etc., as usual. I stepped on the scale and watched the numbers climb, as usual. But the number kept going up and up and up. The digital display topped 200 lbs, then 214 lbs. I was flabbergasted. Just last week I weighed in at 170. My mind was reeling trying to figure out how I gained around 45 lbs in one week. The nurse saw the look of panic and confusion on my face and said, "He's playing a trick on you!" I had forgotten that Tobin likes to put his foot on the scale behind me to push the numbers up and give me a scare. He used to do it at every appointment when I was pregnant with Peyton and Maryam. He hasn't been to many appointments with me this time, so the thought hadn't even crossed my mind. Stinker! As it turns out, I only gained 2 lbs this past week. Whew!

For now, I'll just keep plugging along. Hopefully the increased cramping and lower back pain will lead to something soon! I'm really ready to reclaim my body and meet these little babies. I know I've got a tough gig between here and there, but I'm ready to face labor so I can move on from being pregnant.

P.S. I would certainly welcome your suggestions of wives tales and home remedies that will encourage the onset of labor. I am, however, unwilling to try castor oil. :)

Quick Update

Friday was our last "big" ultrasound for this pregnancy. Both babies are looking great, practicing breathing, and getting big. Our little boy is measuring just about right on for a baby at 34 weeks gestation. He is 5 lbs 1 oz now. Our little girl is a few days small for a baby at 34 weeks gestation. She is 4 lbs 15 oz now. Based on those measurements, it seems that these two will definitely be larger than Peyton and Maryam were when they were born. I can't wait to meet them!

I think I've reached the miserable stage now. I know every day the babies stay in my womb is better for them, so I'm really trying to stay positive and just take it one day (sometimes one hour) at a time. I'm really feeling stretched and stuffed, and I'm having a hard time catching my breath all the time. I'm starting to recognize a few of the signs that my body is getting ready for labor (besides Braxton Hicks contractions), but who knows how long I have to go. If these babies are born at the same time as Peyton and Maryam were, I just have to make it to this Thursday. But my doctor thinks they will go at least one week longer. We shall see!

31 Weeks and Counting!

Here's the latest prego picture and update. I am 31 weeks and 4 days pregnant, but who's counting, right? Ha! I am!

I had another regular doctor's appointment today, and everything is still looking good. Both babies are head down and still vying for 1st position. Are these two going to be competitive or what? Their heads are so close together that it took the doctor a few minutes to figure out where the second head was. They are literally pushed right up against each other and my cervix. But for now, our little girl holds the position of Baby A (first to be born). After measuring my stomach, the doctor said that my body thinks it is 37 weeks pregnant now. Wahoo! But he still thinks I will make it to 36 weeks before these two are born. I'm really ok with that. If we can avoid a trip to the NICU this time, that would be wonderful!

Both babies are measuring well and looking good. They are moving a lot and trying to take over my rib cage. I heard my stomach growl a few days ago, but the noise came from the wrong location. It was just below where my heart should be. That was a strange experience! I guess these babies are rearranging the furniture for me.

Of course the doctor says I should try to stay off my feet and take it easy as much as I can. He's realistic about my having four-year-old twins too, though. I'm starting to feel more tired lately anyway, so I don't need much prodding from the doctor to take it easy. I've been taking a morning and an afternoon nap as of late. Tomorrow I start watching my friend's little girl again, so I'll probably have to cut down to one nap per day. But I can still lay on the couch and watch the kids play. My body certainly gives me cues for when it's time to lay down, and I can't really ignore them. I'm too much of a wimp to power through the pain anymore.

So that's it. I'm hoping we have just about 4 1/2 weeks to go now. My hospital bag is packed, the babies' room is pretty much ready, clothes are washed and folded and put away, diapers have been purchased (and many were received as gifts from fabulous friends!). I still need to pack a bag for Peyton and Maryam, just in case they should need it. But I feel like we are in pretty good shape.

I think we have decided on names too! We are thinking Hunter Anders for the boy and Natalie Catherine for the girl. We found Hunter (actually Hunting) in some Moon family names we did sealings for last Friday night. Anders is also a family name, from both sides. Natalie is a family name, but I can't remember if it came from the Moon or Walther side. And Catherine is my grandmother's name. I'm glad we found names with significance to us (though obviously I need to do a bit more research). I'm hoping these are the right ones. We'll see if they stick. Maryam is still quite attached to Anders as the boy's first name. And she says Hunter is a dog name, since we have some friends whose dog is named Hunter too. Oh well. I guess our boy will be familiar with his first and middle names. He can choose between them when he is older.

P.S. My youngest brother returns home from his mission tonight! He has spent the last two years serving in India. I think his plane landed just a little while ago. I'm tempted to call, but I know he has school tomorrow. Seriously! I hope he's not too jet lagged to start back to college right away. :) Congratulations, Ray! And welcome home!

Baby Names

I'm beginning to feel anxious that we have not yet selected names for the new babies. We have narrowed down a list of boy and girl names, but so far none of them seem like the right fit. Tobin and I have discussed them a little more this week, and I think we are getting closer to a decision now. I won't tell you which way we are leaning yet; I'll just give you the short list of boy and girl names. Feel free to offer your opinions and suggestions.

Boy Names
Anders
Braden
Craig
Dallin
Wolfgang

Girl Names
Emma
Natalie
Katrina
Clara
Hannah
Ella

A Riddle

Next to my night stand there is a stack of books about baby names and pregnancy. Tobin and I were talking about names the other night, so I grabbed the top book, which was a baby name book. The bottom 1/3 of the book was wet; not dripping, but noticeably wet. I checked the other books, but none of them were wet. The floor was not wet, and there was nothing on the night stand that could have spilled on this book. I'm stumped! How does the bottom of the top book get wet when nothing else around it is wet? I asked my kids and my husband if they know anything about it. They don't. Strange!