The Moon Family

Going Through the Motions

2012-01-29T23:23:00.000-08:00

The babies are at such a fun age! And such a difficult age too. We are at the point where going to church feels almost pointless. I guess we are there to teach the babies that this is what we do on Sunday and for the older kids to learn something. I'm certainly not getting much out of it right now. Tobin and I spend most of Sacrament Meeting in the foyer with restless or screaming babies. Today I was interpreting for my deaf friend and both babies started screaming at the same time. Another friend had to take over interpreting so that I could help Tobin take the babies out. I spend all of Sunday School in the halls and/or foyer, and if I'm lucky I get to stay in Relief Society because the babies are so tired they will finally fall asleep. Just nine more weeks until they can start going to Nursery! Wow! (I seriously can't believe they are almost 18 months old already.) What a relief it will be to take them to Nursery and get to sit through a lesson without a squirmy, screaming, or cranky baby on my lap. (But I think I might miss them, too.)

Today was a rough mommy day, all the way around. Church was hard. Tobin taught Elder's Quorum today, so I had both babies with me. I don't mind taking them so he can do his calling. But it does take a lot out of me. Luckily, I have a fabulous visiting teacher and a fabulous sister-in-law who help me out a lot! After church I had some trouble with Maryam. She acts so much like a teenager sometimes. I probably get frustrated too easily, too. I'm really trying to work on being patient and speaking calmly with my children. That all went out the window today. I ended up feeling like I just wanted to run away from home. Alone. This mommy business can be SO HARD!

Don't get me wrong. I really love my kids, and I would not trade them for anything. It's just hard to feel like I have run out of tricks and tools in my mommy bag and things still aren't going right. I think I'm just down on myself right now. Sunday is usually my lift for the week. My chance for renewal. When I don't get to listen or try to feel the Spirit, it's hard to feel renewed. I need to do a better job of finding that lift and renewal on my own all week long. It's just hard to find any time for myself. I already can look around my house and list so many things that need my time and attention, on top of the everyday demands of four kids and a husband.

On the positive side, this coming weekend is our 13th wedding anniversary. We have planned a night away, and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law are going to watch all four kids. (They are saints!) I'm really looking forward to some time to relax and rejuvenate. I know we both need it!

Because I'd love to hear your ideas and get some fresh perspective, feel free to comment and answer these quandries . . .
When you are feeling down or frustrated, what is your best way to break out of the blues?
What are your strategies when you have run out of mommy tools and you want to just throw in the towel?
What do you do for yourself during the week? How do you fit in "me" time?

Walking and Almost Walking

2012-01-29T22:51:00.000-08:00

Braden started walking independently last weekend at Uncle Roy and Aunt Linda's house. I forgot to mention it in my post from last week. It was so exciting to watch him take those first few steps on his own. He really seems to like it and has not looked back. This week, every time I turn around I see him standing in the middle of a room or walking across a room. He still walks on his knees sometimes when he gets tired or frustrated, but he is always willing to get back on his feet when I offer to hold his hand. He is such a cutie!

Natalie's physical therapist recommended a high top shoe from Stride Rite a couple weeks ago. I got her the shoes, and she is quickly becoming much more confident in her standing. She loves to have someone hold both of her hands so that she can try to walk like her twin brother. She is still pretty shaky and makes jerky movements as she walks. But I can certainly see that she is making progress. She will stretch up onto her tiptoes all by herself in order to reach for things. That's an improvement for her. Getting up on tiptoes has been one of her PT exercises for the past couple of months. For a while I had to hold her by the hips and help her move up onto her toes. I'm happy to see her able to do it by herself now.

What to do . . .? Your advice is requested.

2012-01-25T21:19:00.000-08:00

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Especially because we receive so many wonderful Christmas cards and letters updating us on the lives of friends and family. The saddest time of the year is when I have to take down the Christmas cards. I have been known to leave them up until after Valentine's Day. We have a few friends who send their yearly card/letter for Valentine's Day, so I've justified leaving up the Christmas cards because their friends are still on the way. This year I had to take the cards down already. They are usually posted on the wall just below the railing to our stairs. My sweet little babies have learned to climb the stairs and wouldn't leave the cards alone. Thus, they had to be removed, lest they be destroyed. But now what do I do with them? I feel so sad thinking of throwing them in the trash. Think of all the beautiful pictures and thoughts in that stack of cards! Think of all the fond memories of family and friends! Think of how I cherished each card as I took it out of the mailbox, opened it, devoured the news, ooh-ed and aah-ed at the beautiful photos!

This is where I need your advice. Clearly you can see I have a problem. Right?!?! After the season, what do you do with the Christmas cards you received? Is there something to be done other than throwing them in the trash? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this. Please! Even if your answer confirms my fears that there is nothing to be done but throw them out.

(By the way, I know exactly what my husband will say . . . . Throw them out! He doesn't seem to have sentimental attachments to such objects, like I do.)

Wonderful Weekend

2012-01-24T23:10:00.000-08:00

I didn't take any pictures to document it, but we had a wonderful weekend!

Friday night I had an impromptu girls night. It was so much fun! We had to park far away from the restaurant and hurry through a downpour, but that seemed to make it more fun. It was such a treat for me to be out of the house to do something fun all by myself! Thanks, girls!

On Saturday evening we drove to my uncle and aunt's house in Modesto to spend the night. It was so fun to be there and just relax. They are great at being a grandma and grandpa. Our kids had fun watching movies and playing with their toys. It was so nice to catch up and get a dose of Wasden. We had a long night, since little Natalie didn't sleep much. That meant that Mommy and Daddy didn't sleep much either. Usually we would check her diaper, make sure she was ok, and just let her cry it out. But we didn't want to keep everyone in the house awake all night, so we were up with Natalie trying to keep her quiet.

Sunday morning we got to hear my cousin Tyler report on his mission in their ward's Sacrament Meeting. We also got to hear him speak in a Spanish branch a little later. Uncle Roy spoke after Tyler in their ward. I think Tobin and I both enjoyed going to church without having any responsibilities. It was so nice to feel the spirit and enjoy family. After church, we had lunch with Aunt Linda and Tyler. Uncle Roy got a break in meetings and we got to see him again for a few more minutes.

After lunch we headed home and had our monthly extended Family Home Evening with my parents and siblings via computer. I miss my family so much! This weekend was really nice to have some time with them, in person and through the blessing of technology.

Christmas Projects

2012-01-15T22:01:00.000-08:00

My sister-in-law inspired me to do mostly hand made gifts for Christmas this year. I found tons of great ideas on Pinterest! Here are pictures of the things I made as gifts this year. I think I'll do things a little differently next year, so that the kids can be more involved in the gift giving (and making). I had so much fun making all of these, though!

a skirt for my niece

an apron for my brother-in-law

a wall hanging for my sister-in-law

a wall hanging for my sister

abc book for my niece

menu board for my sister-in-law

army wife bag and clutch for my sister-in-law

matching pajama pants for the whole family
(clearly I'm lacking some pictures here)

dresses for the girls and ties for the boys

Whew! That was a lot of work! I still have quiet books to finish up for the babies. I intended for them to be Christmas presents, but they are taking way too long to finish! I'll post pictures of them once they are done. Maybe I'll finish them in time for Christmas this year. :) I'm also working on a quilt for my bed. I really need to finish that soon. Any ideas on how to machine quilt a large quilt on a regular sewing machine are welcome.

New Year, New Look

2012-01-03T19:22:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about cutting my hair a lot shoter for several months. I finally got the nerve to do it and made an appointment. This morning I was so nervous about it I thought I might throw up. I almost cancelled the appointment. But I told myself to suck it up; it's just hair, it will grow back.

So I went through with it. I LOVE the results!

My kids were at a friend's house while I was getting my hair done. When I picked them up, Braden started crying as soon as he heard my voice. I picked him up, and he continued wailing. He would not be calmed until my sister-in-law held him. I tried to take Natalie from my SIL, but she didn't want me either. Peyton says I look sort of like a boy. Maryam says my hair looks nice. She might think about cutting hers the same way too. Tobin loves my new look too. (He has to, though, right!?!?) I'm amused at the varied reactions of my family. I think the babies have finally gotten used to my new hair tonight. We will see what happens in the morning after a full night's sleep to forget again.

I was really getting tired of my longer hair, and it seemed to always be in a ponytail. I'm really excited about this new 'do!

Unattended Camera

2012-01-03T19:12:00.000-08:00

Here's what happens when I leave my camera unattended while I go to the bathroom . . .

There were more, but I figured you get the idea from these.

2011 Christmas Letter

2012-01-02T21:30:00.000-08:00

We usually mail our Christmas letter with our Christmas cards, but I'm late getting it all done this year. Our cards will go in the mail tomorrow (hopefully), so we decided to post our Christmas letter on the blog instead of all the additional printing and folding to send it in the mail. Enjoy!

If you are not on our card list and would like to be, please send me an email. :)

Natalie, Lydia, Peyton, Maryam, Tobin, Braden

Dear Family and Friends,
Happy New Year! Better late than never, right? What a wonderful year we had! We are richly blessed, especially in our relationships with all of you. We hope 2011 was a great year for you too.

Natalie turned 1 in October. She is a sweet, talkative girl and likes to read and sing. She has quite the vocabulary already, including: Hooray!, no, no way, mama, dada, Marmar (Maryam), and Brady. She spent so much time working on all that vocabulary that she forgot to work on her physical skills too. Natalie was referred to physical therapy around 4 months old because she would not turn and lift her head to one side. After just one appointment, she made amazing progress and graduated from PT at the second appointment. But, she found herself back at PT around 10 months old because she could not get herself to a sitting position and was not even attempting to crawl. (Her main method of transportation was rolling, and it was really funny to watch her roll to a selected place with great speed and accuracy.) Once again, she is making amazing progress. Within a week after the first appointment, she was able to sit herself. She is now crawling and pulling herself to a standing position too!

Braden also turned 1 in October. He is all boy, following in his brother and fathers’ footsteps. He likes to play with balls, cars/trucks, and building blocks. He also enjoys looking at books and being read to. Braden’s vocabulary is very small—“yay!” and a whiny “uuhhh” are just about it—but his physical skills are developing well. He has been crawling for a few months now. He started pulling himself up to stand several weeks ago, and has been cruising the furniture for a few weeks now. He is even starting to stand alone without support. He loves exploring everything he can get to with his new found freedom. He also really seems to enjoy helping to unload the dishwasher . . . even when the dishes are still dirty.

Maryam is 5 ½ and one of three girls in her kindergarten class of 12. Her skills for helping others remember the rules are greatly appreciated by her teacher. Maryam likes her Montessori based school, and loves choosing her jobs at school each day. Maryam is a budding artist. She loves to draw, color, paint, etc. Her coloring skills are so good that sometimes daddy has to ask if she or mommy colored a picture. Maryam is quickly learning to sound out words. She will be reading in no time! She also loves to write her own notes/letters/stories. It’s great fun to decipher her phonetic spelling. Maryam took a ballet class this spring. She had fun learning some fundamental ballet skills and did very well in her recital in July. She was a great cheerleader for Peyton’s baseball team, and may decide to play baseball with them in 2012.

Peyton is 5 ½ and loving his rough and tumble kindergarten class of mostly boys. He is a wonderful student, and his teacher knows she can count on him to set a good example for everyone else. He has displayed amazing patience and self control when the temptation to play around is very great. Peyton played on a Peanut League baseball team this spring and really loved it. His skills improved a lot during the season, and his team placed second in the league. Peyton is also learning to sound out words and loves when Mommy reads books to him. He also really enjoys playing the X-box with Daddy.

Lydia loves her stay-at-home Mommy job! Having four kids age 5 and younger is a challenge and keeps her on the move every day. Lydia learned this year that baseball is not just a game, it’s a lifestyle. She is finding time to squeeze in some sewing and crafting. She is lucky enough to have an opportunity to sing with a women’s quartet this Christmas season, and is remembering her love of vocal performance. Lydia serves at church as the Ward Music Chairperson. It’s a low-key calling that doesn’t require a lot of time in her already busy schedule.

Tobin continues to work for the same CPA firm in San Ramon, though their name has now changed to TYS, LLP. He is very busy there as one of two audit managers. Tobin still loves to golf at every opportunity. He continues to play basketball a few evenings each week, and was even invited to join a community league team. Tobin was an assistant coach for Peyton’s baseball team and probably loved it even more than Peyton. Tobin was recently called as the Elders Quorum President in our ward, and is quickly getting up to speed with his new responsibilities. He is enjoying this new opportunity to serve.

At this season, especially, we are thankful for all the blessings we have received this year. We cherish your friendship, love, and support; and we wish for you a happy, peaceful new year. We hope you will feel the love of our Savior in your lives, as we have felt His love in ours.

Love,
The Moons

Natalie, Maryam, Peyton, Braden

Christmas Pictures

2011-12-28T14:12:00.000-08:00

I have a lot of blogging to do. So much to catch up on . . . . While you wait with baited breath for those blog posts (I make no promises about when they are coming), here are some pictures from Christmas day.

We went to church at 9 am, so the kids had to wait until after church to open any presents. I offered them the opportunity to change their clothes before opening gifts, but they wanted to get right to the action. The result is super cute pictures of opening presents in their Christmas church outfits. I would be tempted to make this a tradition if it made any sense to do so.

Our Christmas was wonderful! We had a lovely Sacrament Meeting at church, followed by a bit of socializing and treats. Then we came home to open presents and spend time together playing with our new things. In the late afternoon, we headed over to Trenton and Kristyn's house for Christmas dinner with the little Moons and the Twohys. It was such a nice, relaxing day!

I spent a lot of time over the past few months working on crafts/sewing for Christmas gifts. One of my major projects was making dresses for my girls and ties for my boys. I think they turned out really nicely. Enjoy the pictures!

Natalie, Peyton, Lydia, Maryam, Braden

Natalie, Peyton, Tobin, Maryam, Braden (Isn't Braden's face cute?!)

Better picture of Natalie and Peyton. I love how she wears her headband as a necklace.

Cute Kiddos!

More of the Cute Kiddos

Braden reading his new Elmo book

Natalie reading her new Big Bird book

opening the big family gift from Santa

Gift from Santa. He got a great deal on a slightly used Wii

Natalie's favorite part of the day . . . taking all the wrapping paper out of the trash bag and playing with it!

Tobin's favorite gift. Thanks, James (Krissy)!

Good thing we didn't give Braden too many gifts. He was more interested in playing under the piano.

What happens when a girl misses her morning beauty nap? She can't make it through lunch time.

This guy can always eat!

Father's Day A's Game

2011-09-27T22:52:00.000-07:00

For Father's Day, we gave Tobin tickets to an A's game. The game was July 29th, so he had to wait a bit to actually get his present. Tobin, Peyton, Maryam, and I went to the game together, while the babies stayed home with a babysitter. Poor Michelle Conover. They really gave her a run for her money that night! I believe she ended up putting both babies to bed around 6:30 because they would not stop crying. I think this means I should leave the house without them more often.

Maryam and Peyton waiting for the BART train

Tobin, Peyton, and Maryam

Lydia and Tobin

Tobin and Peyton

Maryam and Lydia

We had so much fun at the game! We rode BART to the coliseum--Peyton and Maryam's first time on a train. They were really excited to get to ride BART. I'm not much of a sports person, so I don't even remember if the A's won the game or not. Afterward, there were fireworks set to broadway show tunes. The fireworks show was incredible! One of the best I have ever seen.

The kids were completely exhausted by the time we headed home. They both fell asleep on the train ride home.

Sleepy Maryam

Sleeping Peyton

The Wisdom of Maryam

2011-09-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

Lately, the big kids and I often have discussions about wanting to move and not wanting to move. They want a bigger house and a yard, so they do want to move. But they don't want to leave our current house, the only house they've ever known; so they don't want to move. Tonight when I tucked them into bed, we had another of these complex conversations. I explained to them that when we bought this house we didn't have any kids and weren't able to have any at that time, so we didn't think about things like needing a yard yet. (Plus we didn't plan to live in this house this long, but that's another story . . .)

Maryam looked at me, perplexed, and asked, "You couldn't have any kids?"
I said, "Remember how the doctors had to help Mommy and Daddy get pregnant with Braden and Natalie? Well, they had to help us get pregnant with you and Peyton too."
She huffed with disdain, "Help you get pregnant? Ladies don't act like that!"

Oh my! If only she knew the number of (medical) people who have seen all of my business by now! I had to work so hard to keep from laughing out loud right there. I didn't want to hurt her feelings. She and Peyton don't actually know where babies come from yet, so I'm not sure what she is picturing when she thinks about the doctors helping us get pregnant. But clearly it is something very un-ladylike!

Growing Kids

2011-07-28T00:09:00.000-07:00

The kids are growing like weeds! Braden and Natalie are 9 1/2 months old now. Natalie has at least six teeth. Maybe more. It seems like every time I look in her mouth there are more teeth coming through the gums. I think it makes her look older. She is not at all interested in crawling yet. She likes to sit up to play sometimes. She loves to be on her back and belly. And if she needs to get somewhere, she looks at her destination, then rolls (quite quickly!) to get there. She is very flexible and agile and uses her feet like hands a lot. That really cracks me up! She sucks her thumbs, though not both at the same time. She will just use whichever one is available. And sometimes she sucks one for a few seconds, then switches to the other. I don't know how she determines which one she likes best at any particular time. When she is tired she sucks her thumb and uses her free hand to play with her ear. She reminds me of King Richard (the lion) on Disney's animated Robin Hood movie.

Braden has two teeth in and two coming. He is really interested in the food the big people eat. He wants to try whatever we have, and gets pretty angry if we won't share. He loves to sit up to play, and has figured out how to get to a sitting position on his own. He will probably crawl soon. He gets up on his hands and knees and rocks sometimes. Right now he mostly scoots backward on his hands and knees. He actually crawled backward a few steps recently, too. I hope he figures out how to go forward soon; he keeps getting really irritated when he backs himself under a chair or into a corner and can't get out. Braden is a serious mama's boy! If I am in the room, he will fuss and whine and cry until I pick him up or play with him. Even Daddy won't do. It's nice--and exhausting--to be so loved!

Braden just after his first haircut

Natalie with her first (tiny) ponytail
Sorry it's blurry. I need to learn to hold my iPhone very still.

Braden in pink sunglasses

Natalie in pink sunglasses

This is what happens when the big kids help out by feeding the babies. Messy!!!

Maryam just had her first dance recital last Saturday. She was in a beginning ballet class at a local studio. She did such a great job! We weren't allowed to take any video or pictures during the recital, but I did get a few shots beforehand and a video during one of their classes. Her class did a dance to "Put on a Happy Face." They were adorable! I really enjoyed the whole recital, and I hope she wants to keep dancing because I like to watch the performances. We had decided to take a break from ballet class because she wasn't very enthusiastic about going (read: clinging to mom's leg instead of walking into the studio), but since the recital she has been asking to take classes again. So, we shall see . . .

Happy Face pose

Maryam and Peyton

Peyton is loving the summer time and wishing we had a bigger yard so I would let him go out and play sports more. He loves every sport he has tried so far. We were hoping to get him in soccer this fall, but we missed the sign ups in March. I had no idea they were so early. Now we know for next year, though. Peyton loves Star Wars and has spent a lot of time working on a Star Wars sticker book that he got for his birthday. He has been my more mellow child, but is learning to stand up for himself too, especially with his twin sister.

Our summer has been quietly fun. We haven't really gone anywhere. We have done some swimming and played at the park a bunch. I'm still really tired most days, so there has also been a lot of napping for me and the babies and "rest time" for the big kids. Tobin's parents visited in May and June, and I think they will be here again toward the end of the summer. My family is coming for a visit in a couple of weeks. And that's about all of our excitement. Maybe next year we'll do more . . .

I can't believe how quickly time is going. This afternoon Peyton, Maryam, and I bought their backpacks and school supplies. They are now ready for the first day of kindergarten in a few weeks. They have been driving me crazy lately, since it seems their current favorite pass time is bickering. I've been thinking how great it will be to have a few quiet hours with just me and the babies at home during the week. But really I think I'm going to miss them! I love my kids so much, and I'm so extremely blessed to have them in my life!

I'm excited for school to start, and also terrified. I almost started crying when I had to leave Maryam by herself at her dress rehearsal for ballet. How am I going to leave my babies at school every day? I'm also terrified by the responsibility of it all. I will have to get four kids dressed, fed, ready, and out the door on time six days a week! Well, I guess technically the babies and I could wear our pajamas to take the big kids to school. But still . . . This is going to be a big change for me. Hopefully we won't be late often . . . or ever. The anticipation is killing me!

Stinson Beach

2011-07-09T23:16:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law, Kristyn, and I took our kids (and her niece and brother) to the beach on July 5th. We intended to hike in Muir Woods first and then head to Stinson Beach for lunch. But Muir Woods was really busy, and we would have had to hike a mile (maybe not quite that far) just to get to the park to take a hike. Instead we decided to nix Muir Woods and just head for the beach. The last bit of the drive to Muir Woods was very windy, as was the drive between there and the beach. Poor Maryam has inherited my car sick gene, and threw up twice on the way to the beach. Luckily I already knew this, and the car was stocked with barf bags (aka, one gallon size ziploc bags).

It was cool and foggy when we first arrived at Stinson Beach. We unloaded, picked a spot and got set up. The sand was nice and warm; a nice counter to the cool air. We had a fun time relaxing, playing in the sand and water, and eating lunch. Even the babies enjoyed it!

Braden - Sunscreen makes great hair gel! Does this kid need a haircut or what!?!?

Happy Natalie

playing while it was still cool

Natalie loving the beach

Braden loving the beach

Braden and Natalie

Heading for the Water! Kymiyah, Kristyn, Braden, Peyton, Samantha, Maryam

Cute Twins! Peyton and Maryam

More Cute Twins! Braden, Lydia, Natalie

Auntie Kristyn and Natalie

running from the waves

Cousins - Peyton, Maryam, Samantha

Dig a hole . . .

. . . fill it with water! (I don't know why. They just thought it was fun.)

Did you notice the gradual removal of clothing? The weather did warm up as the day progressed. It was perfect! Not too hot, not too cold. A fantastic day at the beach!

Baby Blankets

2011-07-09T22:58:00.000-07:00

I've made a few baby blankets in the past weeks, since there seems to be a bit of a baby boom in my life right now. Interestingly, the people having babies all seem to be in different circles of my life. Though I have several friends who are pregnant, few of them know or associate with each other. (Not significant information, just interesting to me.) Anway, here are a couple of baby boy quilts I made recently.

Baby Boy Fowler Quilt

The backing of both quilts is a light-weight, brown polka dot corduroy.

Baby Boy Harper Quilt

I made the quilt with the white center first. In order to quilt this, I measured and marked each line with pins. I heard from a friend that there is a special sewing machine foot that can mark the distance between the lines so that they are even and you don't have to do the measuring. So I bought myself one of those (can't remember what it's called) and a walking foot. The walking foot can be used to do "free hand" machine quilting. I'm exciting and scared to use that one. It's still in the packaging. I think "free hand" machine quilting looks so cool when other people do it. I really want to try it out. But I'm afraid that when I do it's going to look bad. Then I'll have an ugly quilt that I have to either give someone (and feel terrible for giving them something ugly), keep and use in my home (and nit-pick it's inadequecies each time I see it), or donate somewhere (and feel bad for donating an ugly quilt to someone in need). Yes, I do know I'm crazy. Hopefully I'll find the courage--and time--to try my walking foot soon!

Family Time

2011-07-09T22:40:00.000-07:00

We have enjoyed some awesome family time over the past few Saturdays. Our Saturday usually involves a walk to the farmer's market, doing a few chores at home, and sometimes a swim in our community pool. It's been so nice to spend time together as a family doing things at/near home. We all love the time together!

We took the babies to the pool for the first time a couple Saturdays ago. Since we went in the morning before it's really hot (and before the teenagers are out of bed), we had the pool all to ourselves. That's my favorite!

Tobin and Braden

Peyton and Maryam

Lydia and Natalie

Braden, Maryam, Tobin, Peyton, Natalie

Braden - I don't think he is loving this!

Natalie - A sad bathing beauty!

I don't think the babies loved the pool, but hopefully they will decide to like it next time. With four kids who can't swim independently, our pool adventures are limited to times when we have at least one other adult. I'm not brave enough to try to manage four kids in the pool on my own, especially when two of them are infants. Maryam and Peyton do really well and are quite independent with their life jackets on, but you never know what the other people in the pool are going to do. I've had to pull them out of the way before they get run over by teenagers more than once in the past.

I'm hoping to get Peyton and Maryam into swim lessons this summer. I better put that on my to do list for next week and hope that all of the session are not full yet. If not, there's always next year, right?

I Love Pixar!

2011-07-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

We have a friend who works for Pixar, and his family invited our family to go see a preview showing of Cars 2. Tobin wasn't available since he had a golf date, so I left the babies with my father-in-law and Peyton, Maryam, and I went to the show. My kids have been to Pixar before with their friend, but I had never been. It is so cool! When I got home, I told Tobin I need to find a job I can do for them. I want to work there. We enjoyed the movie and then got to look around one of the buildings. There were lots of neat art exhibits from Cars 2, but we couldn't take pictures since it hadn't been released yet. Here are some pictures with other Pixar favorites.

Kelsi, Peyton, Maryam, Miles, Holly, Gavin

Peyton, Lydia, Maryam (showing her ticket to the movie)

Gavin, Peyton, Holly, Miles, Maryam - This Buzz and Woody are made of Legos!

Holly, Peyton, Gavin, and Maryam with the Incredibles (and bad lighting)

Maryam, Peyton, Holly, and Miles - Bruce the shark in the background

Gavin, Holly, Peyton, and Maryam with Sully and Mike from Monsters, Inc.

Too Funny

2011-06-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

I took dictation today for a letter from Maryam to her friend Taylor (a boy). In the letter she told him that she loves him and they should have a playdate soon. She also said, "You choose: friend or girlfriend. Circle one and mail it back to me."

Ha! Where did she learn that already? I'm sure I must have been at least 7 or 8 before I was writing "check the box" notes to my friends.

I did point out to her that she is not old enough to have a boyfriend yet. She said, "I know, Mom! We just like to play boyfriend and girlfriend." lol. Does that make it better??? I think I've got my work cut out for me here!

Gualala Camping Trip

2011-06-13T00:16:00.000-07:00

Several of our friends go camping together over Memorial Day weekend each year. They have invited us to join them several times, but we always gave our excuses and stayed home. Peyton and Maryam have been asking to go camping for a couple years now, so we decided this would be a safe way to test out the camping waters. Tobin and I are not really campers. Neither one of us enjoys it much, due to all the dirt and bugs and lack of real beds, etc. Our rule for the weekend was "No complaining!" I wanted to make sure that the kids got a chance to decide for themselves if they like camping or not. In the end, we all had a great time!

Waiting for the tire to get fixed

We drove up Friday, caravaning with the Croskeys. One of the tires on their trailer blew out, so we made an unexpected pit stop for a new tire. Thank goodness we left early! We still made it to our destination by mid-afternoon. The campground was beautiful, and I really enjoyed the fresh smell of nature. It's been a while since I last left the urban jungle. :)

We had rainy weather most of the day Saturday. Luckily, the Sungas were also part of our camping group at Gualala . . . in their fabulous RV! They let us take refuge there for a while so I could nurse and the babies could nap in a warm, dry place. If it wasn't for them, I think the babies and I would have spent the whole day in our cold tent. By evening, the rain was finished, so after dinner we watched a movie on a big screen in our campsite. Seriously! Our friend Wolf brought up his projector and a big white cloth and all the technology required to make that work. It was cool.

Movie Night

Sunday we attended church at the campground. There's a ward from Fremont that comes up for the same weekend, and they hold Sacrament Meeting followed by Sunday School/Primary. It was a neat experience. Sunday evening we had a fireside with just the families from our ward. Those who had served missions were asked to share a faith promoting experience from their mission. We enjoyed listening to all the stories and testimonies that were shared. Tobin talked about an experience he had in the MTC, gaining his testimony of Joseph Smith and the first vision. We were all sitting in a circle around the campfire. Peyton was sitting just in front of Tobin, and about half way through Tobin's story, Peyton stood up and turned around. He quietly stood there looking up into Tobin's face as he finished sharing his story and testimony. It was really sweet watching him soak up his Dad's influence.

Since we had a group of friends there together, we paired up families and took turns cooking breakfast and dinner for the whole group. What a treat! That really made for an easy camping trip. We were blessed to have the use of two microwaves, one in the Sunga's RV and one in the Jensen's trailer, to heat up our baby food. I was pretty nervous about doing that over a campfire.

Of course, the babies loved the trip. There were plenty of people willing and ready to hold babies all day long. Bishop and Sister Jensen and their daughter Angela were frequently found wandering over to our campsite to help with the babies. And the Sungas offered a bed in their RV for nap time every day.

Toward the end of the trip, Susan (who coordinates each year) asked Tobin if we would come again next year. And he said . . . . YES! Well, there you have it. We may be campers after all.

We did learn a few things, and I'm hoping we can remember all of them for next year. I brought way too many clothes for everyone this year. Consequently, it took me two weeks to catch up with the laundry once we got home. Our extension cord was much too short, so we need to get a longer one before next year. And our tent really is too small. When the box says it sleeps six people, that means wall to wall sleeping people; there's no room for bags or gear. And that really doesn't allow room for regular sized air mattresses either. Our current tent is sort of a football shape. I think we will be looking for something square or rectangular that sleeps closer to ten people. Or a tent trailer. Or an RV. Yeah, right! I'm dreaming! So really just a bigger tent for now. I like the trailer idea, though, since things could then be stored in it for good and I would feel more organized. The chaos of our tent and car during the weekend really drove me crazy. (I know I'm an A-type personality, but I think it's getting worse the older I get. :)

All in all, we had a fabulous weekend!

(The pictures below are in no particular order. I'm struggling to get blogger to let me move them where I want. Grrrr!)

Tobin sitting by the fire

Four Cuties Snuggled Togther

The weather was pretty cold, so our tight sleeping conditions turned out to be a blessing. What better way to keep warm? Well, our fire rocks helped too. :) Good thing, since there was no room in our tent to use the space heater we borrowed.

Lunch Time!

Headed Home . . . All Tuckered Out!

Snug as a Bug

Braden, Tobin, Natalie
Don't you just love those baby coats? Adorable!

Ricardo

Tobin, Braden, Natalie, Angela

Maryam, Peyton, Cole, Phylene, Taylor, Ashlin, Sadie

Peyton and Lydia

Time Flies

2011-04-11T22:34:00.000-07:00

I know I have lots to catch up on again, but it's not going to happen tonight. I guess maybe I'll be a better blogger again next year. Right now I'm just trying to soak up every minute with my kids. The babies are growing so fast! It seems they change every day. They are now six months olds, and I really have no idea where that time went. Natalie has two bottom teeth already! Braden seems to be teething, but nothing has broken the surface yet. His favorite thing to chew on is anything fabric. I'm not really sure why. He is mildly interested in teething toys, but really prefers cloth.

Braden and Natalie had their six month well check last Friday. Braden is now 14 lbs 6 oz and 26 1/4 inches long. He can roll from front to back and almost from back to front. He is intense and really loves his mama. He is not shy about letting me know that he wants me to play with him or pick him up. Natalie is now 13 lbs 2 oz and 26 inches long. She can also roll from front to back easily. She probably could roll from back to front if she wanted to, but she doesn't really like tummy time much. Natalie is very happy and loves to babble. She is generally pretty calm and sweet. And she gives very cute, slobbery, open mouthed kisses!

Natalie

Braden

Peyton and Maryam turned 5 on March 27th. We had a HUGE friend party--their first ever. I didn't really consider putting a cap on the number of children we invited, and when the list was 19 kids long, I never dreamed they would all be able to come to the party. In the end, we had 17 kids between 4 and 6 years old, and 4 babies. Not to mention a few parents and grandparents . . . Needless to say, we had a full house! Luckily, the rainy weather cleared in the middle of the party, and we were able to go outside to let the kids break the pinata. Otherwise it would have just remained as a party decoration. I think all the kids had a great time, and Peyton and Maryam got so many fun presents.

Maryam's Ariel cake

Peyton's Baseball cake (not sure why I can't get the picture to rotate)

There's a bit of a story behind Peyton's cake. He initially wanted a cake with many different kinds of balls on it--all different types of sports. So I was going to make cupcakes and decorate them as different balls. The day before I made the cakes, Peyton told me that he wanted a baseball player on his cake. I decided to switch the plan and make him a regular cake so that we could include a baseball player with many other types of balls. The night before the party I was decorating the cakes, with help from my sister-in-law, Kristyn, my mother-in-law, and my friend Sue. Peyton decided then that he also wanted a pitcher on the cake, and didn't really care about the other balls. Thank goodness Sue brought over some fondant! I was able to make stick people with that for the new baseball themed cake.

Attempting to break the pinata. I think every child got a least three turns hitting that thing. They make sturdy pinatas these days!

Speech!

With a bit of coaching from Tobin, they both thanked their friends for coming before opening their presents.

We are so blessed! Every time I start to feel down about life's challenges, I'm reminded of how much we have! Heavenly Father is truly so good to our family! I'm so thankful for our wonderful friends and family.

Unexpected Preschool Interruption

2011-03-03T09:52:00.000-08:00

We do a co-op style preschool with some other moms and kids from church. It's my turn to teach preschool this month, so yesterday the four kids were sitting around my dining room table, workbooks ready, pencils out. I began the directions for their workbook page, when Maryam said, "Oh, sorry. My phone is ringing." She proceeded to pull an old cell phone we let them play with from her pocket and answer it! I explained to her that it is against the rules to use a cell phone at school and that I would have to take her cell phone away if she used it anymore. She put the phone back in her pocket and we continued with our lesson. A few minutes later she said, "Oops! I forgot to turn off my phone. It's ringing again." I told her that when I was teaching high school, if a student used their cell phone I would take it away from them; so she better not use her phone again! What a precocious little girl! Thankfully, she got the message the second time and we didn't have another cell phone ringing in class.

The similarities between teaching preschool and teaching high school are uncanny, don't you think?

Caught Up . . . Mostly. . . and Baby Update

2011-03-03T00:05:00.000-08:00

I think I'm caught up with posting about major events I missed. I need to download pictures off the camera again so I can post about Valentine's Day. And of course I need to post more pictures of the babies. They are growing so fast! I can't believe they will be five months old next week!

Here are the stats from their four month doctor appointment:
Braden:                       Natalie:
11 lbs 10 oz                10 lbs 3 oz
25 1/4 inches               23 1/4 inches
16 inch head                16 1/2 inch head

I guess they are a bit small for their age; they are low in the percentiles. But their doctor thinks they are growing nicely so far. They started eating oatmeal baby cereal about a month ago, and they love it! They are consistently sleeping through the night, and I love that! Natalie just started trying to give me kisses this week. What a sweet girl! She was struggling with lifting her head while on her tummy, but after just one visit to the physical therapist she is doing much better. I think the PT will be pleased with Natalie's progress when we see her again in a couple of weeks. Braden loves to smile and talk, but he seems to have a red-head temper too. When he gets really mad, he sure lets us know by screaming.

Both babies are trying to roll over. Natalie is getting close to mastering the roll from tummy to back, especially since the momentum from her (large) head gives her an advantage. Braden had one successful roll from back to front, but hasn't repeated that performance--maybe because he fell off the couch doing so. I was nursing the babies, when Peyton yelled to me that the toilet was overflowing. I quickly set the babies down on the couch and ran to contain the flood, while instructing Peyton and Maryam to bring towels as fast as they could. We had just about cleaned up all the water when I heard a loud thump followed a second of two later by a loud wail. I knew immediately what had happened. Poor little Braden somehow rolled himself off the couch onto the floor.  He was not hurt, but he managed to scare himself--and me--quite well.

Our days never seem to be dull, even if we don't get out of the house. Four small children demand a lot of attention. (I'm sure you already knew that, right?) Tobin is working like crazy since it's busy season, and some days I'm pretty sure I'm going crazy. Ah, parenthood! What a life! Seriously, though, I'm really enjoying being home with my kids full time. That truly is a blessing. Before I know it they will all be in school and I will have the rest of my life to work. These years with young children are so precious!

Catch Up Post #6 - New Year's Eve

2011-03-02T23:40:00.000-08:00

We partied with Auntie Kristyn, Uncle Trenton, and cousin Samantha for New Year's Eve. The highlight of the evening was playing Rock Band on their Wii, which they were kind enough to bring to our house. Everyone had a great time, and the babies slept right through all the noise!

The Gang

Peyton on drums - Rockin!

Uncle Trent

Sammy and Aunt Kristyn

Babies Snoozing

Maryam and Sammy rockin out

Peyton on guitar

Sammy and Kristyn

Go Tobin!

Tobin and Maryam - Great vocals!

Kris, Trent, and Sammy spent the night at our house so they wouldn't have to drive home late. The super treat for Tobin and me was that Trent and Kris got up in the night to feed the babies, so we got a full night's sleep! It was so nice to sleep for six hours straight for the first time in a couple months.

Catch Up Post #5 - California Academy of Science

2011-03-02T23:29:00.000-08:00

One of the fun things we did over Christmas break was a trip to the California Academy of Science with Peyton's friend Gavin and his dad. The kids had fun seeing all their favorite things again. They even got to see two live reindeer! We discovered one of my favorite things at the Academy of Science on this trip - the Explorers Cove. It's a play room for children ages 0-5 and their adults. The number of children in the room is limited, so we had to wait a few minutes to get in, but it was well worth the wait. It's a completely enclosed area with a tree house and a ship and lots of toys and puzzles for the kids. What a super place for parents to take a break and let the little ones play freely for a bit!

Maryam

Peyton next to a butterfly (while we waited to get in the rainforest)

Maryam and the butterfly

The kids enjoyed the see-saw at the aquarium

And this is how the babies enjoyed the trip

Tobin livin' it up!

Lydia - so glad to be out of the house!

Catch up Post #4 - Christmas

2011-03-02T23:18:00.000-08:00

I think I'll let the pictures do most of the talking for this one. Our Christmas was a nice, fairly quiet day. We had fun watching the older kids open their presents in the morning while the babies were sleeping. Trent and Kristyn and Aunt Sally joined us for dinner that afternoon/evening. It was a great day with family.

Peyton had a pretty sporty Christmas. His gifts included a basketball hoop, indoor putting set, light sabers, and a playground ball.

Maram's Christmas was girly. Her gifts included a remote control MLP plane, barbies, tiara and earrings, and a mirror from India (thanks to Uncle Ray!).

Peyton and Maryam with their stockings

Peyton and Tobin playing with light sabers

Peyton trying out his new putting set

Maryam opening her remote contol My Little Pony airplane

Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of the kids in their Christmas church outfits. That's one of my favorite things, but getting four kids ready for 9 am church is a serious challenge. There is no time for pictures! And by the time we get home, everyone is hungry. Again, no time for pictures.

Catch Up Post #3 - Blessing Day

2011-02-03T15:46:00.000-08:00

Braden Anders and Natalie Catherine were blessed on Saturday, November 27, 2010, at our church building in Pittsburg. We had the blessing during Thanksgiving weekend so family from out of town could attend. The blessing was held on Saturday night since everyone had to leave Sunday to get home for school on Monday. Friends and family who attended: Oompa Loompa and Mor Mor (my parents), Uncle Ray, Aunt Nina, Aunt Katya; Grandma and Grandpa Moon; Auntie Kristyn and Uncle Trenton and Samantha; Uncle Tony, Aunt Nicola, Hailey, Tanner, Jaxon, and Brooklyn; Auntie Cindy, Dan, and Nick; Nana and Papa (Kristyn's grandparents/Cindy's parents); Auntie Sue McNamara; Terry and Julie Renberg, Meghan, and Jared; Wolf and Liz Croskey, Sadie, and Savannah

Natalie and Braden wore the same blessing outfits that my mom made for Peyton and Maryam. Since the outfits were short sleeved, we just layered a long sleeved onesie underneath them. It was a beautiful, short ordinance. Tobin blessed both babies, and then he and I each were given the opportunity to share our testimonies. We had a lovely time celebrating our new babies with family and friends.

Samantha and Natalie

Braden, Papa, and Maryam

Moon Family

Natalie, Tobin, Lydia, Braden

Maryam, Peyton

Catch Up Post #2 - Halloween 2010

2011-02-03T15:34:00.000-08:00

Mor Mor took the kids to the store to choose their pumpkins. (Thanks, Mom!) Peyton and Maryam each designed their jack-o-lanterns. Tobin and I did most of the carving for them. We made the jack-o-lanterns on the 22nd, and they were moldy long before Halloween. I guess I still am not used to the effects of warm weather on our poor pumpkins. Next year we will wait to carve our pumpkins until just a couple days before Halloween.

Peyton wanted to be Peter Pan and Maryam wanted to be Tinkerbell for Halloween. I had a momentary delusion that I would sew their costumes again this year. Then, the voice of reason and reality (Tobin) arrived. So we bought their costumes. I was quite glad not to have to sit at my sewing machine after about 7 months pregnant.

Natalie and Braden were the "Lost Boys" to Peyton and Maryam's Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. Initially, I hoped the babies would be born at the end of September and we could all attend the ward Trunk or Treat together. Since the babies weren't born until early October, the three of us stayed home while Tobin, Peyton, and Maryam attended the ward party. They had a great time! Maryam and her friends trick-or-treated through the building several times and ended up with a lot of candy. Peyton and his friend trick-or-treated once around the building and then decided they would rather spend the rest of the time playing together. Peyton was a little disappointed that he didn't have as much candy as his sister, but still stuck by his decision to play.

Catch Up Post #1 - Birth Story

2011-02-03T15:19:00.000-08:00

I prayed every day during the last couple weeks of pregnancy that these two babies would decide to make their entrance into the world that day. But they decided that they would just wait and bake a little longer. Tobin's parents drove to California during the last week of October. Unfortunately, Bob had to go home on October 7th, so he didn't get to meet the new babies on this trip. My mom flew in on October 6th. Thank you, Auntie Cindy, for picking her up at the airport!

On October 7th at 6 am I called the hospital, as instructed, to see if it was a good time for me to come in for my scheduled induction. They told me that it was currently pretty busy and I should call back about 9:30. I was so disappointed! I had already showered and dressed for the day. I was seriously ready to leave for the hospital at 6:01 if we got the "go ahead." Instead, we went back to bed for a while. At 9:30 on the dot, I called the hospital again. This time I explained that I was 38 weeks pregnant with twins and schedule for induction that day. They told me to come in right away. Hallelujah! Tobin and I swiftly got ready to leave. Strangely, a few minutes later I got a call from a different nurse asking why I hadn't called in at 9 am as instructed and when I planned to come to the hospital. Not sure what happened there . . . some kind of communication break down.

We arrived at the hospital about 10 am, and were the third couple in line to register for labor and delivery. We waited in the hallway for quite a while. I think it was probably 30 minutes before it was even our turn to register. By the time we started to register, our nurse was already looking for us and trying to speed up the registration process. We were finally settled in a labor and delivery room around 11. The nurses hooked up an IV and asked if I would like to have something to eat before they started the Pitocin, since I would not be able to eat after that. I was so anxious to get this show on the road that I declined food. They convinced me to at least have a snack. I acquiesced and quickly ate some crackers. There were some formalities, paperwork, a brief chat with the doctor, and Pitocin was finally started around 2 pm.

I was hoping labor would be quick once the Pitocin started. No such luck! It took several hours just to get dilated to a 4. (I was already somewhere between 2 and 2 1/2 cm dilated when we arrived at the hospital.) Of course the nurses would check on me every 20 to 30 minutes and increase the Pitocin drip. After I while I started thinking I should pay more attention to what they were doing so I could increase the Pitocin while they weren't looking. But don't worry, I'm way to nervous about that sort of thing and didn't want to harm myself or the babies, so I never did. At one point I asked them to break Braden's water to see if that would move labor along. They did, but it didn't really help things progress any faster.

I got an epidural pretty early on because I didn't want to miss the opportunity if labor ever really did get going well. They gave me a pretty low dose and the fancy button to give myself more medicine as needed. The epidural was a little wonky for a while. My right leg became numb pretty quickly, but my left didn't. My left leg was more swollen from general pregnancy water retention, so that made the epidural slower there. I ended up having to lay on my side for a while to get the medicine into that leg.

Eventually, Tobin left to get some dinner and came back to eat in my room. I ate some Jello, drank lots of water, ate ice chips. I think we had gone through about four different nurses by that time, and the doctor's shift had also changed, so we were on our second doctor. The nurses told me that I should push the call button when I felt like I was getting complete or I needed to push. Tobin and I decided to take a nap for a while. He was watching a ball game, so he had the remote from the hospital bed, which also happens to be the speaker for the TV and the call button for the nurse. I woke up about an hour later feeling like I had progressed quite a bit and should be checked. Unfortunately, Tobin still had the call button/remote/TV speaker thing. I said his name over and over, but he wouldn't wake up. I started yelling his name and eventually threw a couple of things at him (that missed). I was beginning to be afraid that I was going to have to deliver the babies by myself with my husband asleep in the chair a few feet away. Tobin finally woke up and called for the nurse. I was dilated to a 9. Almost there! We waited a while longer, and I started to feel like things had changed again. But I didn't want to call the nurse quite yet because I figured I was now 9 1/2 and didn't want to have the nurse come in just to leave us to wait again. A couple minutes later the nurse came in our room on her own, saying she had seen something on the monitor at the nurses station that made her think I might be complete. And I was!

I was transferred to a different bed/gurney and wheeled into the cesarean suite (operating room). Twins are delivered there (at least at Kaiser) in case of the need for an emergency C-section. The room was quickly full of people. My nurse and the doctor on call (whom I had never met before that night) and a midwife were there to coach me through labor. There were also two pediatric nurses, a pediatrician, and the anesthesiologist. Poor Tobin barely had room to get in next to me. And they made him sit down in case he should faint.

I pushed for about 30 minutes, and finally at 2:56 am October 8th our baby boy was here! His face was the most beautiful sight I could imagine! I got a few seconds with him on my tummy while Tobin cut the umbilical cord. Then he was taken to another part of the room to be weighed and cleaned up a bit. Tobin walked over to watch, came back a minute or so later, and told me that his name is Braden Anders. (We had not yet decided on his name, though we had several in mind.) He was 6 lbs 6 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.

Natalie arrived just 5 minutes behind her brother (3:01 am October 8th). I barely had to push at all. In fact, I started to bear down as I had with Braden, and the doctor immediately told me to stop. I think Natalie would have shot right out if I had continued to push hard. What a beautiful baby girl! I got a few seconds with her also, while Tobin cut her cord. She was 5 lbs 13 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.

A bit later I was being transferred to another gurney and taken back to the labor and delivery room with our babies for recovery. As the epidural wore off, my right leg came back pretty quickly, but my left stayed partially numb for a couple of days. Even after we went home, I had to keep my feet up most of the time for the first week or two in order to combat the swelling. I guess this is a pretty normal side effect of Pitocin.

I was taken into a private (thank goodness!) maternity room early Friday morning. In fact, I had just gotten settled, when someone knocked on the door and asked what I had ordered for breakfast. The nurse explained that I had just arrived and hadn't ordered, but they brought me some food anyway. That may be the tastiest meal I've ever had! In fact, I think the hospital food is pretty good. All the meals I had there were good. I was able to eat chicken that night for the first time in about 9 months! I was a little nervous, wondering if it would make me queasy still. But it didn't. It tasted SO GOOD!

The babies and I both were fine, no complications, no problems. We had several visitors on Friday, including both grandmas and Maryam, Auntie Kristyn and Uncle Trenton, Auntie Cindy, Sister Roxas and Sister McNamara and Sister Conover (the Relief Society presidency and, coincidentally, my visiting teacher), and Tobin and Peyton. They showed up last because they had gone golfing with one of Tobin's friends for some big boy time together. Lucky Maryam got to enjoy big girl time with both grandmas to herself!

Both grandmas were able to stay for two weeks after the new babies were born. They were great help, getting the big kids to preschool, accompanying the babies and me to five different lactation/weight check appointments, grocery shopping, cleaning, doing laundry, etc. It was great having them here!

P.S. Once Tobin reads this post, I may have to return and make some corrections. My memory gets pretty foggy when I've had an epidural. :)

Here We Go

2011-02-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

Well, friends, I've decided it's time to get back on the horse. Really, I think I can snatch a bit of time now and then to put some posts on the blog again. A series of catch up posts will follow, and hopefully we will be up to date again soon. So, buckle your seatbelts . . . . Here we go with four months in the life of the Moon family!

More to Come

2011-01-07T00:05:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-12T23:29:00.000-08:00

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

2010-09-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-12T22:59:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-08-23T21:26:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

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!

Where Did a Month Go?

2010-08-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

I feel like I posted pretty recently, but looking at the date of my last post, it's been a month. I'm not really sure where the time went, but in some ways I'm glad the time is going quickly. I'm now 29 weeks pregnant. My personal goal is to make it to 36 weeks; that's just 7 more weeks! I'm feeling a serious urge to pack my hospital bag, but I'm making myself hold off until at least the end of this week (30 weeks pregnant). There are still plenty of other little projects around the house that are calling my name, too. The one that seems most pressing to me lately is to clean out my closet. I'm not really sure why this is the most urgent thing to me, but I'll probably make it happen this week--if I can fit it in between naps. I'm feeling pretty good lately. I'm getting more tired and hungry all the time, though.

I've been working feverishly on Peyton and Maryam's baby books for the last couple of weeks. They each probably have ten pages done now. This is another nesting thing. My idea was to finish scrapbooking their first year before the next set of babies is born. I don't know if it will happen, but I'm definitely giving it some effort.

Last night my sister-in-law and my friend threw us a Baby BBQ. We had a good time hanging out with friends and family. They were so generous to bring us gifts, even though this is not our first pregnancy. I wasn't looking for people to bring presents, we just wanted to celebrate this huge event in our lives. We really have sweet family and friends here. I forgot to bring my camera, so we have no pictures to document the event. We had a name suggestion bowl and got some pretty funny entries. We also got a few serious ones. But somehow, we don't seem to be any closer to naming these babies. I'm not sure how that will all pan out. I guess by the time we leave the hospital with them we will have to decide on something.

Maryam and Peyton are being great helpers for me. They let me nap almost every day (while they watch a movie). I know it's not great parenting, but growing babies is hard work! We started reading Charlotte's Web together a few nights ago. They watched the movie two days in a row last week, so I thought I would introduce them to the book. We have been reading a chapter a night, and it's going great! Peyton, especially, is excited to read it each night. I love it! Charlotte's Web was one of my favorites as a child, and I love sharing it with my children now.

I'll try to get Tobin to take a picture of my belly tonight so I can post a current photo. I'm having maternity pictures taken in a couple of weeks, so hopefully there will be some good ones from that to post here as well.

Mistake or Mischief

2010-07-11T21:50:00.001-07:00

Maryam didn't finish her sandwich at lunch today, so I asked her to put it in the fridge. Later, this is what I found. My daughter is a smart girl, so I'm trying to decide if I think she was being lazy, snarky, or silly. I guess next time I need to give more explicit instructions . . . bag first, then fridge, girlie!

cute Peyton just wanted his picture taken with the fridge

the culprit and her brother

Yes, that is her Halloween costume. She loves to dress up!

Our "Garden"

2010-07-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

Our town house has a deck out back, but no real yard. When we had the deck built, we asked them to include a planting area, which is filled with calla lillies and irises. This year I really wanted to grow some vegetables too. In April I bought three pots and a few plants and we were on our way.

Peyton and Maryam helped me plant one cucumber, one pear tomato, one cherry tomato, and two beef steak tomatoes. We even roped Tobin into helping, since I'm not really supposed to be lifting heavy things like bags of soil and full pots.

Tobin worried that our little potted garden would die, since I have a bad track record of remembering to water potted plants. I promised him I would be much more diligent about watering. Lucky for me, we had quite a rainy spring, so the plants have done pretty well, even if I did forget to water now and then.

Getting Started

You can see my callas and irises in the background and on the right.

Planting

This past week we have enjoyed the first few tomatoes off our plants. We harvested four pear tomatoes, two cherry tomatoes, and one beef steak tomato. The larger tomato actually could have used a few more days on the vine, but it tasted AMAZING, even though it was a little under ripe. Now I'm wishing we had planted more tomatoes. Maybe next year I'll add to our collection of pots so we can add more plants to our potted "garden."

Peyton and Maryam in front of the smaller tomato plants

with the larger tomato plants

proud faces

the fruits of our labor

Daddy Daughter Date

2010-07-11T21:13:00.001-07:00

On June 28th, Tobin took Maryam on their first official Daddy Daughter Date. Maryam was SO excited! She put on her fancy easter dress, princess sandals, and tiara. Tobin put on a button down shirt and dark jeans, so he wouldn't look too under-dressed. As soon as Maryam saw him, she told him he needed to put on a tie! This is one girl with innate romantic notions!

The cute couple went to Yogurt Pizzaz where they enjoyed some frozen yogurt and watched part of a movie showing there. Then, they went for a walk together. Maryam said her favorite part of the date was when Daddy opened the door for her because that was romantic! Look out boys, this is one girl who still believes in chivalry!

Peyton was jealous that Maryam got to go on a date with Daddy and he had to stay home with Mommy. Poor kid. His life is rough! One of these days I'll take him on a date (if he'll go with me). Maybe then he will be more excited about time alone with Mommy.

Recently Finished Projects

2010-07-11T20:55:00.000-07:00

I was on a bit of a sewing kick and was able to finish several projects. I mentioned a couple of these before, but didn't post pictures until the packages had arrived to their recipients. Here are the fruits of my labors. I still have several projects I want to complete before the babies are born, but somehow my sewing always includes time on my floor for measuring, cutting, pinning, etc., and getting up and down from the floor is progressively harder these days. We'll see if I get anything else done . . . .

Car Seat Cover Ups

I made these for myself. I'm excited to be able to cover my babies so strangers can't just reach in whenever they want. These seem to be quite helpful when the baby is asleep, too.

Baby Quilts

The girl quilt was for my friend Cami who just had her first baby girl. (She already has three boys.) I think this is my favorite girl quilt so far.

The boy quilt was for my brother and sister-in-law, who are expecting their first baby - a boy - at the end of this month. I can't wait to meet my newest nephew!

Nursing Covers

This nursing cover is for me. I'm not sure it will be practical for nursing twins simultaneously, but at least I can use it when I need to pump in the car.

This nursing cover was for my sister-in-law, along with the baby boy quilt pictured above.

Well, that's enough projects for now. Still on the To Do list are some curtains, sleeves for a couple dresses I found on clearance for Maryam, more baby quilts/blankets to give as gifts, and a lot of scrapbooking. I think I better start prioritizing!

Family Stay-Cations

2010-07-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

We are not traveling this summer, due to the pregnancy, but we have done a couple of fun family day trips together.

Tobin and I took the kids to the California Academy of Science in San Francisco. It has an aquarium, roof top garden, tropical garden, and much more. We probably only saw half of it, but we bought the season pass os that we can return as much as we want during the next year. The kids really loved it! A group of moms has a trip planned there for next week, and I'm really excited to go back and see some of the things we missed. Here are a few pictures of our adventure.

Peyton, Tobin, and Maryam under the aquarium

I told Maryam to put her thumbs down so her hand wouldn't block her face for the picture. She took my instructions literally!

Peyton, Tobin, and Lydia . . . photo by Maryam

Our family went to the Jelly Belly Factory with a group of moms and kids from our ward. The kids thought it was really cool. Peyton was so excited because jelly beans are his favorite treat right now! Daddy wasn't all that excited, but he humored us anyway.

Peyton, Maryam, and our friend Mikayla

Peyton and Daddy

Maryam and Lydia

Maryam, Lydia, Peyton, and Tobin

Won't Maryam love when I use this shot for her wedding video or something like that? :)

I'm Losing It!

2010-06-30T21:34:00.000-07:00

I think I may have officially lost my mind! I know, it's a pregnancy thing. But I didn't seem to gain many brain cells back after the last pregnancy. This could be a bad thing. Luckily, I have a calendar in my cell phone that remembers all of the important things for me. If it ever dies, I'm in big trouble!

Here's my latest example of my lack of brain power . . .
My sister-in-law's baby shower was this past Saturday in Utah. Of course, I couldn't be at the shower, but I did make a couple things to send to her. I am super excited for her to receive them, and had her gift completed in plenty of time to mail it for the shower. However, every single day last week, I forgot to go to the post office. How does that happen? Every night I would see the gift sitting in my living room and think about what point in the day I would go to the post office the next day. Then each day, I would not think about it one time. I finally mailed the packaged this Monday. I missed the shower!

I had a baby gift ready to send to a friend in Utah as well. So Monday, I finally could keep it in my head to get to the post office. I planned to use the priority mailing boxes at the post office to send the gifts. When I got there, I realized that I didn't bring any packing tape, and I didn't know if the post office would let me use some. The line was huge on Monday, so I started the wait to find out if they had tape. Then, I noticed some tape for sale with the other packaging items. Lucky me! So I went back to the little counter, packed up the two gifts in separate boxes, and taped them closed. Then I realized that I was still holding the cards. Duh! I taped one to the top of the box and shoved the other under the flap.

I waited in line again and finally made it to the window. The very kind post office employee told me that if I used a different box I could save a lot of money. I was so grateful! I got the boxes she suggested, and was actually glad to make the switch so I could put the cards inside this time. I switched the gifts to the new boxes, taped them closed, and realized that again, I failed to put the cards inside the boxes. Seriously?!?! Two times in a row? I will cut myself a bit of slack, since I was also trying to keep track of my two active four-year-olds. But really I should be a bit more together than this.

I will post pictures of the gifts and some other projects I recently finished, but I want to wait a couple more days. I don't want to spoil the surprise if one of these ladies reads my blog post before she receives her package. Let's just hope I got the addresses on the boxes correctly. My sister-in-law is having a boy and my friend had a girl. I will be so embarassed if I mixed up their gifts! (Girls, if I did mix it up, please let me know so we can arrange an exchange!)

In Other News . . .

2010-06-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

Life is moving along at a regularly crazy pace. Peyton and Maryam are growing like weeds, as evidenced by Peyton's flooding pants. I bought him a couple new pair of jeans and a pair of church pants, but I refuse to buy any other pants until fall. This wouldn't really be a problem, except that the boy loves to wear his sweat pants. We are starting to get a lot of comments, even from strangers, about the length of his pants. I find it comical. Yes, I know my son's pants are too short. No, I'm not going to do anything about it right now. Thanks for being the fifth person to point it out today! :)

We are having lots of summer fun so far. We have two weekly park days, and next week I'm going to meet with some other moms to plan more fun activities. One that's high on my list is the tour of the Jelly Belly factory. I think Peyton and Maryam will really like it. I need to try to get that one on the schedule sooner than later, since it will mean a fair amount of walking and time on my feet. Other activities like going to the beach might be a bit less strenuous for a pregnant mama. Shoot, a day laying around in the sun sounds great! Our neighborhood pool has been a nice amenity too. My belly feels so much lighter in the water. Peyton is a regular fish, and loves jumping in, trying to dive for toys, swimming around with his friends, etc. Maryam doesn't really like to put her face in the water, but she LOVES the social aspect of the pool. This can cause me a bit of stress, since she sometimes wants to hang out with the local teenage girls who happen to be at the pool. Yikes! I'm really not ready for her to be a teenager yet.

I haven't figured out yet what to do about preschool in the fall. We've been doing a co-op style preschool for the last two years. I'd love to continue, but I'm not sure if it's realistic with a brand new set of twins due about the time school starts. I got a flyer about an in-home preschool nearby, and based on the price, I think I'm going to have to suck it up and be super woman with the co-0p style again. Paid preschool for twins is expensive!

Another Small Miracle

2010-06-18T18:44:00.001-07:00

Two weeks ago I had another "big" ultrasound--these will occur every six weeks until the babies are born. The ultrasound is performed by a tech, who is not allowed to tell the patient anything important. She did get to tell us genders, though. (See my previous post) On the ultrasound, I noticed something abnormal in our little girl's brain. The tech didn't mention it, and I didn't ask her about it because I knew she couldn't say anything. The following Tuesday I got a call from the genetics department to inform us that our little girl had choroid plexus cysts in her brain. They offered us another more in-depth ultrasound, since this type of cysts can be related to a chromosomal defect called Trisomy 18. The geneticist said our little girl doesn't have any other indicators of Trisomy 18, so there wasn't much need for concern. But they wanted to do another ultrasound just to be cautious. This defect can usually be ruled out by the genetic blood test; but since I am pregnant with twins, it doesn't work for us. I agreed to the ultrasound, and we scheduled it for Monday of this week.

I was able to push this concerning information to the back of my mind most of the week. The kids and I had the flu over the weekend, so that helped too. Thankfully, I was feeling better on Monday morning and ready to get the next ultrasound done. Sadly, Monday morning is when Tobin came down with the flu. My fabulous sister-in-law, Kristyn, accompanied me to the Kaiser hospital in Oakland for the ultrasound. I was pretty anxious all night Sunday, and spent a lot of time praying for peace and strengthened faith. By Monday morning I was feeling much stronger. Kristyn and I had a lovely visit, chatting and laughing. An ultrasound tech performed basically the same ultrasound on both babies that had been done just 10 days before. I watched closely, and didn't see the cysts in our little girl's brain this time. Next, a doctor came in and did the same ultrasound again, slightly abbreviated. She was able to discuss her findings, and told us that both babies look normal. The cysts are, in fact, gone! The geneticist came in next and talked with us for a few minutes. She didn't have too much to discuss, since the risk of any problem is now incredibly low. What a miracle! I am so touched by the Lord's mercies.

Today was another appointment with my regular doctor. When you are pregnant with twins you get to see the doctor every two weeks! Phew! Good thing I like him. :) Tobin, Peyton, and Maryam all came with me today. This was the kids' first time to see the babies on an ultrasound. They were so cute! They asked Tobin and me a lot of questions about the colorful posters on the wall while we waited for the doctor--can you say female anatomy lesson! They were both totally attentive during the ultrasound and talkative with the doctor. After the exam was over, I asked a couple of questions I had for the doctor. Then, I asked the kids if they had any questions. Peyton raised his hand. I told him to go ahead and ask. He looked at the doctor and said, "How do they get out?" I started laughing, and the doctor looked at me and asked, "Can you handle this one?" I explained to him that we've actually had this talk before. Then I told Peyton again how babies get out of the mommy--the super short, one sentence answer. It was so cute.

My doctor said today that I need to start planning to tone down my activities going forward. He doesn't even want me carrying heavy laundry baskets anymore. I'm not on bed rest, and he wants to keep it that way. Honestly, so do I! So now, I'm going to have to start cracking the whip for my hubby! Tobin really is a great help. I'm just going to have to save some of the bigger household chores for him to help me with in the evenings. I'm sure that's not his favorite idea, but it sure beats having a wife who can't do anything at all.

Big Baby News

2010-06-04T21:54:00.001-07:00

We had our "big" ultrasound this afternoon. (This is actually the first appointment that Tobin has been to for this pregnancy since we were released from the fertility clinic.) Both babies were very active and gave the ultrasound tech a bit of a run for her money. We were there for about an hour and a half to get all of the pictures and measurements that the doctors like to see. Whew! It's really neat to watch the babies on the screen and see all the different parts of their bodies and how big they are getting. We are really lucky to have twins again, since we get to have the big ultrasounds every six weeks until they are born. I don't know how women with just one baby get through a pregnancy with only a couple of ultrasounds. I feel so lucky to be able to see our babies at every doctor's appointment!

Baby A is measuring slightly smaller than Baby B -- by about 10 grams. That's not much of a difference at all. They are both about 12 oz right now. The technology for ultrasounds is amazing! I'm truly fascinated by it all.

But I'm sure this is not the news you came for today. Here's the announcement you've been waiting to hear . . . .

Baby A is . . . a BOY!

and

Baby B is . . . a GIRL!

That's right, folks. We must be the luckiest parents alive! We are having our second set of boy/girl twins! I was really hoping these babies would be a boy and a girl again, partly because I'm terrified of trying to tell two boys or two girls apart. Maryam has been telling us all along that we are having a boy and a girl, so she was really happy to be proven correct today. Peyton is holding out for two boys and two girls. Yes, he wants us to have FOUR more babies because he likes to have lots of friends to play with. What a cute couple of kids we already have! They were really excited to see the ultrasound pictures tonight. We took them to dinner to tell them the news and show them the pictures. It was a fun time for our family. We are all so excited and happy!

Half Way . . . plus a little

2010-06-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

I am almost 20 weeks pregnant--it's official on Thursday. For a singleton pregnancy, this is the half way point. For me, 18-19 weeks is the half way point. Twins are considered full term at 36 weeks, and my doctor assured me today that if I have not had them by 38 weeks, he will induce me. Woo hoo! Time finally seems to be moving a bit faster.

The good news today is that both babies are looking great, and I actually gained some weight. In fact, I gained five pounds in the last two weeks. Yikes! (Though, I'm only up seven pounds overall.) The doctor said I don't need to go looking for extra calories now, just eat what sounds good and doesn't make me queasy. Morning sickness is improving all the time. I'm hoping it will be completely gone very soon. But I've been hoping that for a while . . . .

I started having Braxton Hicks contractions last week. My doctor told me today that it's normal to feel them earlier during a second or subsequent pregnancy because you recognize the feeling. I remember when I was pregnant with Peyton and Maryam the doctor asked me something about feeling Braxton Hicks contractions and I told him I hadn't felt any. He said, "You're having one right now." What a surprise!

This Friday is the big ultrasound where we (hopefully) will find out the babies' genders. I'm really excited! I'm such a planner! I really hope the babies cooperate so I can get going full swing on getting everything ready for them. I want to get clothes washed and ready, get cribs set up, decide if I need/want to make new quilts for them, make car seat cover things (so people can't just reach in to touch your baby), etc. Who knows how many projects I'll actually finish before they arrive. I'm working on some gifts for other moms/babies too. And of course there are the myriad non-baby-related projects that I have planned or started but never finished. I'm also toying with the idea of trying to get Peyton and Maryam's lives scrapped before the new babies are born. I have not scrapbooked one single picture of their lives yet. It's tragic and shameful, really. Oh well, what's a mom to do, right? Shoot, maybe I'll just wait a few more years on the scrapbooks and let them do it for themselves. :)

Stay tuned for exciting pictures later this week. I may have some completed projects to show you. And there will definitely be new ultrasound pictures in a few days!

Kids! What a hoot!

2010-05-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

Last week I was sustained as the Ward Music Chairperson at church. This Sunday I went to the bishop's office with my family after church to be set apart. (In our church, we have callings where we serve, unpaid, in different capacities. When a person receives a new calling, she is "set apart," or given a blessing or special prayer, to help her do the new job. It's like getting advice from Heavenly Father, through a priesthood leader who voices the blessing.)

Tobin and the kids and I went in the bishop's office with the three bishopric members. I told the kids this was going to be a special prayer and they needed to sit very quietly with their arms folded and listen. We emphasized the need for reverence, too. About half way through the blessing, Maryam let out a really loud fart. She followed that by giggling and snickering through the rest of the blessing. I couldn't decide whether to be embarrassed or burst out laughing. Luckily all of the adults in the room managed to maintain decorum until the blessing was finished. I shook the bishop's hand and apologized for my daughter and we all started laughing. What a story I have to share with her future husband someday! Needless to say, our Family Home Evening lesson last night was about appropriately dealing with bodily functions in public.

Little Life Lessons

2010-05-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

Being pregnant has produced all sorts of opportunities to teach Peyton and Maryam about life--especially about reproduction. They have quite a few questions about babies and pregnancy. I'm doing my best to be honest and age appropriate with answers for them. Yesterday, they asked to see some pictures of themselves when they were babies. Tragically, I still haven't made their baby book. (This brings me to a dilemma. Do I make one book or two???? Advise, anyone?)

But I digress. Thank goodness for digital pictures! I took the kids to the computer and opened the pictures there. They were enthralled with the slide shows of themselves as babies. Many of the pictures also feature Tobin and me. As you probably recall, Tobin has lost quite a bit of weight in the last year and a half, so he looks very different in those pictures from four years ago. Maryam saw the first picture of Tobin way back when and said, "That's Daddy when he was crunchy. Now he is smooth."

This is serious progress. The last time she saw pictures of her chubby daddy, she said, "That's when Daddy was a little bit ugly." I'm not sure why she was associating being overweight with being ugly. That's not something she heard here! She made comments to me about strangers along those lines too, so we had some serious conversations about everyone being unique and special. And just because someone is overweight doesn't mean they are ugly. I'm glad she has now found some different adjectives to use. Crunchy and smooth are just too funny!

Crunchy Daddy

Smooth Daddy

Baby Update

2010-05-06T19:24:00.001-07:00

Here are a few ultrasound pictures from last week.

Baby B back of head and spine (facing down)

Baby B Profile (facing up)

Baby A Profile (facing up)

Baby A with hand next to face

I had my first appointment with my OB/GYN, Dr. Grullon, today. I love him! I've only seen him a few times in the last 8 1/2 years, so I don't know him very well; but he was so supportive and happy for me today. I'm so glad he is my doctor!

From here on out the medical monitoring gets more intense. I will see Dr. Grullon every two weeks, and I will have a "big" ultrasound every 4-6 weeks. Suddenly I feel like my schedule is getting full.

Dr. Grullon did an ultrasound "up top" (what's the technical term?) and a vaginal ultrasound to check my cervix today. I had a "big" ultrasound last week, and he discussed the results with me today. At Kaiser the "big" ultrasounds--where they measure the babies' bones, brain, organs, etc.--are done in the radiology department. Dr. G said that one of the placentas is just touching my cervix. I think this is called placenta previa. I saw the radiology tech type it on one of the pictures last week, but she didn't mention it to me. I'm pretty sure that's because she is not actually allowed to discuss the results with patients. That job is left to the doctor. Anyway, Dr. G said today that when the placenta is close to/touching the cervix this early in the pregnancy, it will usually resolve and move away. If it doesn't move away from my cervix, then we will have a c-section delivery. He said if I tried to do a vaginal delivery with the placenta there I would just bleed. I'm kind of freaked out about this, but Dr. G was so calm and didn't seem to be overly concerned. So I'm going to rely on his expertise and tell myself not to worry until there is really something to worry about. In the mean time I'll definitely be praying for that placenta to move over! Dr. G said he will be doing an ultrasound on my belly and a vaginal ultrasound to check my cervix at every appointment until the placenta is no longer touching my cervix. Besides this minor concern, everything else looks good.

Dr. Grullon was so upbeat and positive. And he seems genuinely excited that we are having a second set of twins. He mentioned how unusual it is for someone to have more than one set of twins and how wonderful it is for us. I really appreciate his positive attitude. I can get so anxious and nervous when I go to the doctor, but he made me feel so comfortable and more calm. He even asked me to bring him pictures of Peyton and Maryam that he can put up in his office.

Every time I see the babies on an ultrasound I get more excited to meet them. This pregnancy is finally starting to feel real. I am beginning to show a little, but I won't post a picture yet. Mostly, I just look like I need to start working out more. Maybe next month I will look pregnant enough to put up a picture. I have felt the babies move a little bit too. I realized during the "big" ultrasound last week that I feel them moving more than I thought. It was easier to identify when I saw them moving on the screen and felt the little tickling movements inside me at the same time. I've also felt a few definite thumps. On Tuesday I rested some library books against my stomach and got a kick right behind my belly button!

I'm officially 16 weeks pregnant, as of yesterday. Woo hoo! Moving right along!

Chomping at the Bit

2010-04-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling anxious lately about getting things ready for the new babies. I want to get the cribs out and put them together; go through the baby clothes, wash them, put them away in the dresser; wash the baby car seat covers; etc. I keep telling myself to calm down and relax. We don't even know if we are having boys or girls or one of each yet. We still have MONTHS to go! I think this is the OCD part of me coming out. I want to be ready now, even though I know we still have a long time to wait.

I have a bunch of other craft projects that I want to work on, including repurposing some maternity shirts from winter to summer wear. But somehow I can't get myself motivated to do those other things. And so, I do nothing. I crack myself up! (Now, you understand by nothing I mean, taking care of my kids, house, church calling, etc. I can't actually do nothing.)

Morning sickness is lessening lately - I'm 14 weeks pregnant today. But I've actually been throwing up more lately. I guess I better ask the doctor if that is a bad thing when I see him. My hunger is continuing to increase, but food is still not looking too good. I have, however, managed to eat a little red meat lately. This is a miracle, of sorts! I ate one piece of tri tip on Sunday and had a hamburger for lunch yesterday. And it tasted so good! Granted, my stomach felt really funky after both, but I did keep them down. Wahoo!

Blue Moon

2010-04-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we purchased our first minivan! It's a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country. I'm so excited! We found it at a used car sale hosted by our credit union. We initially intended to buy a foreign made minivan, but they tend to be more expensive. The minivan selection at the sale wasn't that big, and we stumbled across this lovely car by luck. It was a good deal, and only has 50,000 miles on it. I don't know about other parts of the country, but it's hard to find cars with low mileage in this area.

When we first looked at the minivan, it was missing a couple of the seats. We asked the sales guy if they had all of the seats, and he had to go ask someone else because he is not familiar with this type of vehicle. To our amazement--and my joy--this van has stow-and-go seats. The seats all fold down into the floor! The sales guys were really amused at how excited I was about this feature. The van also happens to have a DVD player, which is a nice plus for long trips with the kids. I have already laid down the law, though, that we will not be watching movies while we drive around town. Does that stop the kids from asking to watch a movie every time we get in the new car? Of course not!

We took the van for a test drive and then drove it around the lot to check out our other options. In the end, we decided to go ahead and buy it. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. At least I know that once these babies arrive I'll have a way to transport my whole family anywhere we need to go. The new minivan is a light, silvery blue, so Tobin has named it Blue Moon. This is a whole new world for us. Tobin would rather have purchased an SUV, but I didn't want to pay more for the vehicle and the gas right now. Maybe a few years down the road when we are independently wealthy . . . .

Cute Kiddos

2010-04-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling much better lately, and I'm starting to have a little more energy. But somehow I'm throwing up more now than before. Yesterday, I was getting myself and the kids ready for church and suddenly needed to run to the bathroom. Peyton followed me and watched the proceedings. He was not at all grossed out. In fact, I think he was kind of impressed. After I threw up he said, "Wow, Mom! That was a lot!" He and Maryam were both concerned that I should stay home from church since I was sick. They didn't want me to get anyone else sick. So cute!

We had a great weekend, enjoying three full days in a row with Daddy. It was so nice to have busy season come to an end this year. Tobin works really hard, and we appreciate his dedication to taking care of our family. We also appreciate the days when we get to have him all to ourselves! Tobin and I were even able to go out car shopping on Saturday, and ended up driving home with a new (to us) minivan. I'll post about that later today once I've downloaded (or is it uploaded?) the pictures.

So Far, So Good

2010-04-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

I had an appointment with the nurse practitioner today. I was going to post some ultrasound pictures, but they don't really look like much yet. Maybe I'll post some from the next appointment. Hopefully by that point the babies will have some distinguishable human features. I'm sure we could have gotten better pictures today, but that didn't really seem to be the NP's purpose. Oh well. I did get to see the heartbeats on the monitor. That is always reassuring.

The appointment today was a little strange for me. With my first pregnancy, I was referred to a perinatologist right after the fertility clinic. This time the fertility clinic sent me to my regular OB GYN, so everything is different. The NP made a comment about this being my first pregnancy. I corrected her and told her that I already have four-year-old twins. She looked at me like I was crazy! She said she saw the records in the computer, but assumed that my pregnancy in 2005-06 was a miscarriage. (Who would go back for more IVF, right?) We had a bit of an awkward moment while she tried to wrap her head around people wanting more than two kids. It was kind of awkward for me. Luckily, my appointments after this will be with my regular OB. At the very least, the NP could have pretended not to think I'm insane. Oh well. I figured I would get some reactions like that. Most people (strangers or acquaintances) here assumed we were done having kids when our first set of twins turned out to be a girl and a boy. It's amusing to me to see the way other people think.

I'm almost through the first trimester of this pregnancy. I'll officially be 12 weeks pregnant on Thursday. The allergic reactions are getting much better in the last few days. I think I only ended up taking Benadryl about 50% of last week. Yay! I'm really hoping I will start to like food again soon. So far I've lost about 2-3 pounds because food is really disgusting to me. But I'm getting so hungry all the time now that I really need to eat more. It's the strangest contradiction! Please share your ideas of foods that were super tasty while you were pregnant. I really need to find something that tastes good and doesn't make me want to run for the bathroom. :)

Our News

2010-04-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

Well friends, I promised that I would explain my infrequent blog posting lately. I think you've waited long enough.

We have a big surprise to share.

Are you ready?

We are expecting another set of twins!! They are due October 21, 2010. Chances are good that they will really be born a few weeks before that, though.

This pregnancy has been pretty rough so far. We did IVF again in early February. As part of the process, I have to take a number of medications. One of them happens to be a daily injection of progesterone in oil. It seems that I am allergic to something about this medication. In the past, I've had itching at the injection site when I used it. This time I had major allergic reactions. The doctor changed the type of oil three different times trying to find something that I was not allergic to. We finally settled on olive oil, since it caused the fewest/least scary reactions. As a result, I've been on Benadryl pretty consistently for about two months. My allergic reactions have ranged from itching at the injection site to huge welts at the injection site to swelling throat and tongue to itching throat and tongue to hives to muscle aches. Seriously. I'm not even exaggerating. I got to finish taking the shots last week, and the allergic reactions are finally starting to diminish. I'm hoping to be a normal (pregnant) person who doesn't take Benadryl every day very soon.

Additionally, I had a bit of bleeding at six weeks, and was put on bed rest for about two weeks. Strangely, the timing was almost exactly the same as the bleeding I had when I was pregnant with Peyton and Maryam. Weird! The doctor was concerned about one of the babies for a bit, but at our last ultrasound everything looked fine. The women in our ward were fabulous about taking care of us while I was on bed rest. And my sister-in-law and her mom were fabulous as well. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people who care about us!

I have another ultrasound next week--just a regular check up with the nurse practitioner. After that appointment I will be passed along to my regular OB GYN. We will get to find out the sex of the babies in early June. Stay tuned!

So far the regular pregnancy symptoms have been pretty normal. Of course, I'm sick to my stomach. But I haven't done much throwing up, so that is a blessing! I'm seriously tired! And the past two weeks I've become VERY, VERY hungry! I'm hoping that food becomes appetizing to me again soon. It's really hard to make myself eat when the food isn't really appealing. Overall, I think I may have lost a pound or two so far, but I'm expecting that trend to turn around pretty quickly.

So, that's my story . . . and I'm sticking to it! I'll post some ultrasound pictures soon. They're not too exciting thus far. But next week's pictures should look more like babies than blobs, I think.

We're Alive

2010-03-18T19:19:00.001-07:00

I know I haven't posted much lately. I'm sorry to my faithful followers, if there are any of you. I'll be back soon with stories to tell. But for now . . . well . . . you'll just have to keep wondering what we are up to. Give me a little longer. It will be worth the wait.

Plugging Along

2010-02-18T23:47:00.000-08:00

I know I need to blog more. Well, really I don't know for sure. Maybe no one is reading this, so it's just my own inner critic and guilt fiend telling me that people want to see more here. But then, some of you have become "followers," so I assume that means you want to know what is going on with us. Anyway . . .

I'll try to blog more. Lately life is normal. We're in the midst of busy season, so Tobin is not home much, even though he isn't really doing any tax work this year. Someone please explain that to me. No, don't. I know he is extrememly busy at work. Luckily they have hired a couple new people so hopefully we can meet the guy who sometimes sleeps in my bed sometime soon. :)

Peyton and Maryam are closing on the their fourth birthday. I'm not going to do a big friend party this year. We'll save all that drama for the big 5th birthday next year. This year will just be family and a few close friends (who qualify as family in our eyes). Peyton has been praying for a car race track for his birthday. He started asking for one just before Christmas, but I . . . *ahem* . . . Santa, had already spent his budget for the year. Since then we've heard of nothing but a car race track. He seriously prays for one every night before bed. I think I better get on that soon. I'm not sure what is out there, and I don't want to spend a fortune because I didn't do my homework. Peyton wants a dinosaur or shark cake. He decided the other day that a shark cake is probably better because sharks are more scary to people. I love it! I better work on that too. I'm not too skilled at cake decorating, so I'm thinking a blue cake with shark toys on it. Yeah, that's my style. Too cheap to buy a cake; lack the skill to make a fantastic cake on my own. Maybe there are some better ideas on the internet . . . .

Maryam hasn't mentioned anything particular that she wants lately, so I asked her a couple of days ago. She wants a Beauty and the Beast cake with the real toys on it - just like her Cinderella cake last year. That way she gets a cute cake and a present all in one. She's a smart girl. I asked her what she wanted for a present. She said, "I want car keys like you and Daddy so I can practice driving." I explained that you have to be 16 (maybe it's 18 in Cali now?) before you can drive. Well, she likes to pretend that she is 16, so that will be fine. Seriously, that's her explanation. She likes to push my buttons by telling me that her boyfriend is calling on her toy cell phone. A few days ago she told me that she broke up with Gape (her boyfriend - the name is really Gabe, but she thinks it's Gape). Now she has another boyfriend already, Jesse. Her boyfriends are from a couple different episodes of Hannah Montana. I may have to ban that show for her! This girl is 3 going on 16! She's a serious crack up!

Well, that's our life in a nut shell. We've been battling a nasty cold/virus thingy. It hasn't been too fun, but I think we are all on the mend now.

If you have any fabulous ideas on the birthday cakes or presents, please share! Do your kids have a car track they really love? I'm thinking something compatible with matchbox cars, since Peyton already has a lot of them. And what do you give the girl who wants car keys at age 4??? Do they make toy key fobs? (How do you spell that anyway?)

Feeding the Chickens

2010-02-08T20:40:00.001-08:00

This afternoon I suggested the twins go upstairs to play since they were driving me crazy playing downstairs while I was sewing. They were more than excited to play in their room for a while. I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary and figured they were probably building their secret hiding place again (think blanket fort). A little later, I heard them playing at the bedroom door, keeping each other out/in. I headed upstairs to see what they were up to.

I turned the corner in the hallway to their room, and this is what I saw.

The blob on the floor is the inside structure of one of the twins' arm chair style bean bag chairs. The white spots on the floor are styrofoam "beans" from the chair. I stepped into the twins' bedroom and found this . . .

They emptied the beans from both of their chairs onto the floor of the bedroom. I quickly asked them why they would empty out their bean bag chairs onto the floor. Maryam replied, "To feed the pretend chickens, Mom." She used this tone of voice like their actions were perfectly logical. I had to work really hard not to burst out laughing right then. I explained to them that this was probably not the best idea and they would need to help me clean up the floor. They agreed, and I ran downstairs to get the camera and some beach buckets.

We spent 45 minutes scooping "beans" off the floor into beach buckets and then into trash bags. Then the kids were great helpers vacuuming all the remaining beans from underneath everything in their room.

Christmas Sunday

2010-01-11T01:01:00.000-08:00

We had our Christmas program at church on the Sunday before Christmas. I sing with the ward choir, and we had planned and prepared to sing three songs. I was also involved in a quartet that was singing another song. The choir director asked us to arrive 30 minutes early for church so that we could do one last rehearsal before we performed.

A few weeks before Christmas I bought outfits for the twins to wear to church on Christmas Sunday. It's a tradition in my family to get a new church outfit for Christmas and Easter. I loved this tradition as a child, and I have continued it with my own children. Each year I search a few different stores for a beautiful dress for Maryam and a handsome sweater vest outfit for Peyton -- and of course the are always coordinating! The night before the "Christmas Sunday" I laid out the twins Christmas outfits so they would be ready to wear the next morning.

Now, I should give you a bit more background information. Tobin is our ward clerk, so he has to attend early morning meetings before church each week. This leaves me to get the twins ready by myself each week. Every Sunday morning they throw a fit about having to get up and get ready. That fit usually involves some crying and yelling about not wanting to go to church. Once we get to church they are happy to be there, so I'm not really sure why they throw a fit every week. It probably has something to do with having to get up and get ready earlier than any other day of the week (since I'm not working this year). I usually do everything I can to motivate them to get ready, including allowing them to choose their own outfit to wear to church (with some guidance from me--I'm really way to anal to just let them have free reign).

So Christmas Sunday morning dawns bright and early. I wake the twins earlier than usual so we can arrive early for the choir practice before Sacrament Meeting begins. I even aimed to arrive an hour early rather than 30 minutes early so that I would have 30 minutes extra time for melt downs, tantrums, and other such catastrophes. Well, I really should have allowed an extra hour. That Sunday morning was the first knock down, drag out battle I've had with my daughter. It was a glimpse of what her teenage years could be like. And it was ugly! This is one of two times during the year that I choose her clothes for church, but she was not having it! She threw a huge tantrum about not wanting to wear her Christmas dress. I tried everything I could think of to convince her to put the silly dress on, and suddenly we were deadlocked in an epic battle. I ended up texting Tobin and telling him that we might not make it to church at all that day. He left his meeting to call home and try his fatherly powers over the phone to convince the twins to listen to me, but to no avail. Maryam still refused to put on the dress.

I finally gave up and told her to choose a different dress to wear. I was nearly in tears, we were running very late, and I wasn't finished getting myself ready for church yet either. At that moment she finally decided that she would wear her beautiful Christmas dress after all. Oh, was I fried! Eventually we did make it to church. The choir practice was already half way through, and I was still on the verge of tears. One of my friends happened to arrive about the same time and asked how I was doing as we walked down the hall. I broke down crying and she lovingly consoled me. She has five children and assured me that these kinds of mornings happen to the best of us. Thankfully, her cheerful attitude quickly lifted my spirits. The choir performance went quite well, and my performance with the quartet was even better. It turned out to be a lovely, spiritual meeting.

I usually take a picture of the kids in the Christmas outfits before we leave for church, but this year that obviously was out of the question. In fact, I didn't even think of taking a picture until much later in the day after they had already changed their clothes. I had to bribe them the following Sunday to get them to put on the Christmas outfits again so I could take pictures. It may be a short-lived tradition at this rate. But next year they won't be three-year-olds anymore. Maybe four-year-olds are more reasonable and obedient. Maybe four-year-olds will better understand their mother's desire for a cute looking, coordinated, somewhat matchy family for the Christmas program at church.

They are such posers! I don't know where they come up with this stuff!

Christmas

2010-01-11T00:44:00.001-08:00

Christmas morning is so fun as a parent. I love seeing the excitement in my children's eyes as they hurry down the stairs to see what they got. Here are just a few highlights from Christmas morning this year.

Peyton and Maryam each received a scooter from Grandma and Grandpa Moon. They coordinated well with Santa who brought the matching helmets and knee pads. Mor Mor and Oompa Loompa sent personalized towels for the twins, but somehow I failed to get a picture of them. They also sent fleece blankets for Tobin and me. Those were a fantastic gift for us, and we have used them every day since! Our house feels so cold right now, so whenever we are sitting down, we wrap up in our blankets made by Mor Mor.

This is the toy Santa brought for our family, but really just for Tobin. He has had fun helping the kids play with the helicopter and learn how to control it.

Tobin and the kids playing with the helicopter. The kids are wearing new outfits they received, and Tobin is wearing the apron he received from our brother-in-law.

We had a small but wonderful celebration this year. We hosted Christmas dinner at our home with just the four of us and Tobin's two aunts. We had a lovely day cooking and enjoying being home with the kids. Dinner was great and we thoroughly enjoyed the time we got to spend with Aunt Sally and Aunt Mary. It was really nice to have them come to our place for a quiet dinner. Well . . . as quiet as it gets with two three-year-olds and two brand new scooters.

Christmas Projects

2010-01-11T00:11:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of the projects I made as Christmas presents. I had so much fun! I haven't really done any crafting for a couple of weeks, and I'm in withdrawal. I need to get a couple of baby quilts done ASAP and I've got a project to do this week for a friend who just lost a brother. (That's a story for another post.) Anyway, I'll be back in the saddle this week!

These actually weren't Christmas presents. I made throw pillows for the couch and chairs in our living room.

A wood crafting project for my sister Sarah's gift. I found the idea on one of the crafty blogs I follow online. These tured out much larger than I anticipated, and I love them. Now I really need to go visit my sister so I can see them in her house!

Bags I made as Christmas gifts for my sister and niece. This was my first time making any type of bag. They turned out much better than I anticipated. And they were so easy that I'm thinking of making some more.

These are my twins modeling their Christmas pajamas. I intended to make matching pajama pants for all of us (including Tobin and me). The day after I finished the pants for the twins, Maryam saw the picture on the front of the pattern and requested a nightgown instead. I wasn't really prepared to make a nightgown, but I decided to do what I could with the fabric I had. The next morning when she saw the nightgown she was not impressed. The picture on the pattern shows lace on the nightgown; this was what she really wanted -- something frilly and girly. (She really is my daughter!) I explained that I wasn't prepared to make that, so I had to just use what I had. She decided she could get along with what I made, and wore the nightgown all day long that day. Because of that little development, I ended up not having enough fabric to make pajama pants for Tobin and me. Let's just say, Tobin was not disappointed. In fact, I think he was relieved that he doesn't have to humor me by wearing some funky bright green PJs with penguins on them.

Going to the Snow

2009-12-20T22:07:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know it sounds really strange, but in the Bay Area we don't get snow. So we have to "go to the snow." Well, a couple of weeks ago on Sunday night/Monday morning it snowed very close to our house. I was so disappointed that it didn't actually snow at our house! Then again, I don't really want to drive in snow with people from California. Anyway, there was snow on the hills just outside of Pittsburg and the mountain nearby. And there were some nearby cities that actually got snow in town.

As soon as I had free time Monday, the kids and I packed up to go find the snow. We drove all the way to Danville (about 30 miles) and up the windy road to Mount Diablo State Park . . . only to find that the roads were closed and we could not get to the snow that day. Peyton and Maryam were very disappointed, but we did get to visit Daddy at work instead. On Tuesday, I was determined to try again. This time, I called the state park to make sure the roads were open first. Then, we made the trek to Danville again--ok, it's really not that far for us. Tobin drives farther for work every day.

The twins and our friend's daughter that we babysit during the week and I finally made it to see snow on Tuesday. We stopped at the first big patch of snow we saw. What a great time! We had a snowball fight and hiked around the picnic area for a bit. We tried to eat our snack at the picnic table, but it was much too cold. Our poor little friend was shivering from the cold! So we packed up and headed to McDonalds for lunch.

It was a short trip, but fun nonetheless. The kids and I all really enjoyed the snow! Maybe next time (read: 7-10 years from now) we'll actually get some at our house.

I Have Lost My Mind

2009-12-09T10:55:00.000-08:00

I knew it would happen someday, but I thought it would be much later in my life. I just can't seem to get my mind back in gear lately. I had a week off from my babysitting gig for Thanksgiving. Breaks from work always throw me out of my routine, but usually I can get back on track pretty quickly. Well, the week after Thanksgiving was out of the norm as well because I went to Las Vegas with Tobin for a work conference (his work, not mine). I had three days of relaxing with no obligations or responsibilities . . . in the middle of the week!

This week, it's as if my mind has determined that it will stay on vacation permanently. I can't remember what day it is or what appointments I have. I know I'm forgetting things that need to be done. And today I took my twins to preschool 30 minutes early, without realizing that we were early until the mom who was teaching mentioned it. Oops! I'm so embarrassed! I don't know what is wrong with me. If I didn't know better, I would think I am pregnant. But I know better. I'm definitely NOT pregnant. What, then, is my excuse?

Christmas Season

2009-11-29T23:09:00.001-08:00

I love this season! We just decorated our house and Christmas tree tonight. I love the lights and all the nativity scenes we have. It just makes me feel so happy to look around and see Christmas all over my house.

I think I'm nearly done with Christmas shopping. I've become quite ambitious about the number of crafts I'm going to complete as gifts this year. I've got a busy month ahead to get it all done. I did manage to finish a couple of things this weekend, though. I can't post any pictures yet because I can't be certain who will check my blog. I'll have to do a big photo post after Christmas day.

For now, I need your input on one outstanding Christmas idea. What do I get or make for the women in my Primary presidency? I can't spend too much money, but I do want to show them my appreciation. They really work hard to make things run smoothly. I would appreciate any ideas you can share!

Need . . . To . . . Craft . . .

2009-11-14T11:58:00.000-08:00

I've been pretty busy this week and haven't had time to do any crafting. I've been trying not to think about it. Then, this morning I started browsing through blogs and following links to other blogs . . . about crafting! Now I am in full withdrawal mode! I found a super cute craft that I really want to make for someone for Christmas. I'll probably need to make one for myself first so I can work out all the kinks. (And that way I get something super cute too.) I can't wait to get started! Not sure when I'll have time, but Christmas is coming quickly, so I better get to it!

Check out my inspiration here: http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/2009/11/whitneys-christmas-joy-plaques.html

Halloween Creating - 2009

2009-11-04T21:12:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago I took the twins to the fabric store and let them each choose a pattern for a Halloween costume. Maryam chose Bo Peep and Peyton chose a pirate. On a separate occasion, I took them to a larger fabric store to help choose the fabric for their costumes. Please do not attempt this. I understand so much better now why my own mother used to come home with surprises for us, rather than taking us to the store to choose our own things! It's really beneficial for all, in the end. But I digress . . . After approaching the cash register, I soon understood why many (most?) people buy their children's costumes. It was really much more expensive to make them than to buy them. I told Tobin later, I will probably never make them again, since it was not cost effective.

The patterns and fabric were purchased in early September. Then they waited. And waited. It's been some time since I used my sewing machine for something other than straight lines. It's been a very long time since I attempted an article of clothing or used a pattern. Finally, at the beginning of October I decided I better get moving on this project. I started with Peyton's costume because it had fewer pieces and fewer details. I made his sash first - super easy! All straight seams! Then I made his pants. This caused some apprehension. I have vivid memories of sewing pants or shorts when I was much younger. I always sewed the crotch seam wrong and had to pick it out and re-do it. The patterns I bought this time have a new (to me, at least) way to sew the pants. It was so easy. I was not confused! The pants were done correctly the first time! Lastly, I sewed Peyton's lined, satin vest. The last bit of this project was a bit tricky, but overall it was not bad at all. Suddenly, my confidence was boosted. I do remember how to sew clothes! I can do it!

A few days later I started on Maryam's costume. Hers was much more involved, had many more pattern pieces, more articles of clothing to make, lace, ribbon . . . . I had to make a few phone calls to my mom for help and advice. Really, how is a person supposed to narrow hem an apron with curved corners? Narrow hem a curve? Well, it's not professional work and I'm not selling it, so I guess it is what it is, right? Sew a little lace over it, and it looks great! For Maryam's costume I sewed an apron, dress, hat, and pantaloons. I was so sick of that costume by the time I was done! Some parts of the process were frustrating, and I feared that the costumes would look "homemade" in the worst sense of the word. But the damage was done. The costumes were finished just the day of the ward party. There was no time for a Plan B.

The twins were so excited about those costumes! They put them on for the first time, and suddenly it was all worth it. Every frustration, every minute I worked into the wee hours of the morning for several nights was all worth it. They beamed in their brand new outfits. And I beamed. They are the cutest little Trick-or-Treaters I have ever seen! And their costumes looked fabulous (not terrible, as I had feared). I was actually proud of my accomplishments. Suddenly my tune had changed. I think I want to make their costumes every year! . . . . I'll just have to learn to use my coupons more effectively.

Halloween night the kids had a blast with their friend Sadie. The weather was better than perfect for Trick-or-Treating. It must have been in the low 70s as we walked around our friends' neighborhood. After gathering plenty of candy, we headed back to Wolf and Liz's house for an outdoor movie, which soon became two movies. We enjoyed Smore's and a fire as we watched movies and gave out candy to very few other Trick-or-Treaters.

Faith and Innocence

2009-10-21T23:57:00.000-07:00

Dinner conversation immediately following the dinner prayer tonight:

Maryam - We need to say lots of blessings (prayers) so we can get a baby and a dog.

Peyton - Yeah. A baby brother and a baby boy dog and a baby girl brother.

We've previously had conversations with our kids about wanting a baby to come to our family. And we've talked about how we need to pray and ask Heavenly Father to send us a baby. The kids have asked for a dog before, and Tobin and I would like to get one eventually; but we've never discussed praying for a dog. Too cute! Plus, I love their innocent little phrases like "baby girl brother." Peyton knows what a (very girly and bossy) sister is, so maybe he's hoping for a laid back, tom-boy sister next time!

Child's Play

2009-10-12T16:54:00.001-07:00

Maryam and Peyton had to stay home from preschool today because they are getting over a cold. They played so nicely together! Peyton was being "Tobin the Superman" and Maryam was being "Lydia the Princess." They told me that they were going to a wedding after lunch to get married and if they prayed really hard they would get a baby. Obviously we have some teaching to do in the sex-ed department! But I love that they are getting the spiritual part of it - when we want the Lord to bless us we pray and ask Him. (By the way, we have explained before that because they are brother and sister they can not marry each other. But when they are the only two here, who else is going to play the part???)

Dancing at the pretend wedding (in their room)

Pretend wedding photo op!

Pumpkins for My Punkins

2009-10-12T16:37:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to G&M Farms in Livermore, CA, with the Croskeys (minus Wolf). They have a big pumpkin patch with lots of things for the kids to do. There are a few animals to see, a dried corn box (think sand box) to play in, a play structure, etc. This year there were even pony rides. We opted not to do this one because it cost money and Tobin and I weren't sure the kids would actually ride the horses once we paid the money.

The kids loved all the play time!

Maryam & Peyton

Sadie & Maryam

Shortly after we got home, Maryam asked if we were going to carve our pumpkins into Jack-o-Lanterns. I figured this day was as good as any. We drew on the faces first, then carved them with our pumpkin carving tools. I can't remember where I got those tools, but they are awesome! The kids were not thrilled about all the "goop" inside the pumpkin, so Tobin and I got to dig it all out. I kept teasing them that I was going to make goop soup for dinner!

Maryam's pumpkin all ready for carving

Peyton's pumpkin all ready for carving

Our finished Jack-o-Lanterns!

Quilts for My Twins

2009-10-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

Last fall I took Peyton and Maryam to the fabric store to choose material to make them twin size quilts. At that time they were still sleeping in cribs, and my goal was to get them big kid beds for their birthday. I wanted to have their quilts ready to go on those beds in March, when they turned 3. Well, we looked and debated over beds. Tobin didn't really see the need to remove them from the cribs quite yet, but I was ready for them to move on. And I was hoping we would get pregnant last fall and need the cribs for new baby/ies. After much searching and debating, we decided it was most economical (frugal) to use beds that already belong to us, though one of them was in Utah at my parents' house.

We didn't make it in time for their 3rd bithday, but the kids didn't seem to mind. In June we took apart the cribs and stored them in the garage. We brought Tobin's super single water bed frame up from the garage and put it together for Peyton's bed. We soon found that there are not many companies who make water bed mattress inserts, so the mattress had to be ordered off the internet. No cheapy mattresses to be found; we had to get a more expensive one. But I have rationalized this by telling myself and my husband that our son is going to sleep on this mattress forever! Ironically, this mattress was ordered from Denver Mattress Company. We used to live just down the street from one of their stores. If only we had known back then, we could have saved the cost of shipping now . . . .

In June we also took a trip to visit our families in Idaho and Utah. Tobin flew home after two weeks, and the kids and I stayed in Utah for two more weeks. At the end of that time, my dad drove back to California with us to help us tow a U-Haul trailer with my bed and dresser in it. What a great dad! By the end of one long, exhausting day we had driven from West Jordan, UT, to Pittsburg, CA, unloaded my old bed and dresser, and returned the trailer before closing time at the U-Haul store in Pittsburg.

Since early August, the kids have been sleeping on their big kid beds with just sheets and crib size blankets. (It took a long time for Peyton's mattress to get here!) All this time, I have been working bit by bit on their long awaited quilts. Last night I finally finished them. I think I had put off binding them because I wasn't quite sure how to make it turn out the way I wanted and because I was afraid the quilts were not going to look very good. Peyton's quilt was first to be bound. Once it was finished, I laid it out on the floor to look at it and realized it looked much better than I expected . . . almost professional looking. Of course, there are mistakes in both quilts. Don't look too closely. But I'm really pleased that they turned out so nicely! This is a true testament to my mother who taught me everything I know about sewing and quilting. What a wonderful teacher and mentor she is! I still hope I can grow up to be like her some day.

Peyton's new quilt and big boy bed

Maryam's new quilt and big girl bed

Family Pictures

2009-09-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the family pictures we took on my birthday. I love them! When I looked at them the first time, I said to Tobin, "I don't remember aging!" Not that I think we look old, but I think we look grown up. Strange! I guess we're not young newly-weds anymore. But I do think we look better than when we were first married. A few years and some life experience look good on us!

Birthday Fun

2009-09-21T18:03:00.001-07:00

Well, last year was a big, exciting birthday celebration. This year was quiet and simple. Both were really nice. Tobin's parents were in town for a week, leaving last Saturday (my birthday), so we had a birthday party Friday night. It was small, just Tobin and the kids, Tobin's parents, Tobin's brother and his wife and daughter, and a couple close friends and their two girls. We had pepper steak for dinner (think stir fry but better!) and the ginormous chocolate cake from Costco. Yummy!

Saturday morning I went to my sister-in-law's house to get my hair trimmed. When I got home the house was empty. Tobin and the kids had gone to pick up my birthday present. When they got home they had two big boxes for me . . . . matching office chairs for our (really my) desks. We have hardwood floors in our living room and have been talking for a long time about how nice it would be to have rolling chairs at the desks. Since I'm doing a little work from home now, I'm spending more time at the desk, so the new chairs are really nice! We had a nice relaxing afternoon putting together my new chairs and hanging out around the house. In the evening we had family pictures taken and went out for frozen yogurt.

All in all, it was uneventful and perfect. I'm so glad to have new office chairs, and I'm really excited to see the pictures we took. All of the family pictures in our house are about a year old. You probably have heard by now that Tobin has lost 70+ pounds since January. I can't wait to put up some pictures with my hot, skinny hubby!

Thanks, Tobin, for a quiet, peaceful, happy birthday!

Air Quotes

2009-09-10T16:39:00.000-07:00

Last night we had family scripture reading, and then were sitting on my bed talking with the twins. We have a lot going on in the next few days, and we were trying to tell the kids about some of the things we'll be doing. We told them that tonight they will be having a pajama party with two of their friends and Daddy while the mommies go to a movie.

Maryam said, "Mom is going to a 'movie'!" using her fingers to correctly gesture air quotes with the word movie. She also used correct sarcastic intonation. We asked her if she knows what that gesture means. She said, "Yes. It means two plus equals." ??? We have no idea what "two plus equals" is or how she came up with it. She usually says that when we are talking about numbers or a calculator. What a crack up!

Super Cute Totes!

2009-09-10T16:07:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled across a link to a blog with super cute totes available through an Etsy shop. I'm not really familiar with Etsy, but I'm going to learn! These are awesome! And there is a drawing this month for the tote shown below. Check it out at http://justanotherhangup.blogspot.com/!

The Transition

2009-08-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm staying home with the kids this year. A stay-at-home mom. Tobin and I debated this decision quite a bit during last school year. It was a really rough work year for me, so when the decision was finally made, I was REALLY excited to be home with the kids this year. The count down to the end of the 08-09 school year was agonizing. I was so trunky! (By the way, what is the non-Mormon word for trunky? Anxious?) Then, suddenly it was the last week of school. I said goodbye to my seniors at graduation. It was the first time I've cried at an Antioch High graduation. I said goodbye, well "see ya later," to my colleagues with a little more crying.

I spent the next two months in a whirl wind of traveling, spending time with family, helping my parents after mom's surgery, trying to get my kids back into some sort of routine, and then a little more traveling. During all the summer craziness I tried desperately to come to grips with the fact that I am not working. I never expected to feel so sad and impotent. I felt like I had lost my identity. People made comments like, "She used to be a teacher, " and I started wondering who I am now. I am still a teacher, even if I'm not working this year. Why is it that the outside world has now determined that I am nothing? I went through a wide range of emotions trying to figure it all out, and sometimes wishing I was going to be at work again this fall.

Time rushes swiftly on, and it's now the first week of school in the Antioch district. I'm glad to be home with my twins. I'm certainly missing my teacher friends and a new group of students. I miss the gratification of knowing I am touching so many young people's lives (hopefully for the better). I miss the satisfaction of earning a paycheck, miniscule though it may be. But I know that the work I'm doing at home is more important. The influence I have on my children now is greater than the influence I may have as a teacher.

I've always wanted to stay home with my children. So then why do I feel such a keen sense of loss over leaving my job for now?

Where Babies Come From

2009-08-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

We have a few friends who are pregnant or have been in the last year. This has prompted a lot of questions from Peyton and Maryam about babies - where they come from, how they get in the mommy's tummy, how they get out of the mommy's tummy, etc. I really thought we would get to avoid these types of conversations for a few more years at least. But, alas, I guess it is better for them to learn about the birds and bees at home, rather than some other place.

Yesterday Maryam and Peyton were telling me a story about when Tobin and I were babies and they were big. (This is their current favorite story basis: When Daddy and Mommy were babies, Peyton and Maryam were the parents.) They proceeded to tell me that I was in Maryam's tummy and Tobin was in Peyton's tummy. Maryam said she went to the doctor, they cut open her foot, and the baby came out. Peyton agreed that this was the same experience he had giving birth. I figured I better make the correction, and informed them that babies do not come out of people's feet. Of course, that prompted the next question: "Then where do they come out?" Well, there was no way around the truth here. So I told them that babies come of out the mommy's vagina. Peyton looked at me with concern in his eyes and responded, "But I don't have a vagina!" (These kids are quick!) Then I had to explain that only girls can have babies. Boys don't have the right parts. Peyton's next question? "Then what do the boys do?" We talked about how the daddies have to help the mommies because it's a lot of work being pregnant and sometimes the mommy doesn't feel that good. They seemed to understand it all pretty well.

Today, our friend went into labor, and we went to her house to stay with her and their two-year-old while her husband went to the airport to pick up her mom. As we pulled up to the house, Maryam said, "Mom we need to pull down her pants so the baby can come out of her vagina now." I calmly explained that it takes a long time for the baby to get here, and we would let the doctors take care of that. Later, she asked if we could go with them to the hospital and watch the baby being born.

I'm glad my kids are so intrigued by the workings of the human body. I guess it's time I started looking for one of those "birds and the bees" books for kids.

Lewis and Renee's Wedding

2009-08-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

My younger brother Lewis and his fiance Renee were married August 15, in the Redlands temple. Yes, this is our third wedding this year! Most of the Walther clan met up in Ontario on Thursday evening. Friday we went to Newport Beach for the day. We had so much fun! The little ones played on the beach with Mormor and Tobin, while the rest of the adults had a great time in the ocean. I really had forgotten how much I love the beach, especially when I get to go there with my family. We had such a nice time!

Mor Mor and Maryam

Lydia, Tobin, Peyton, Grace, Hope

Lydia & Maryam

Tobin, Peyton, Maryam, Grace, Hope

Oompa Loompa & Mor Mor in the background

Saturday we met at the temple for a beautiful wedding. Lewis and Renee's sealer was awesome. He was sweet and clever and funny. I hope they can remember some of the things he said. After the wedding we had some time to hang out at the hotel and go swimming again. Then in the evening we were off to Renee's parent's beautiful backyard for the reception.

Renee & Lewis

Maryam, Lydia, Peyton, Tobin

Peyton and Maryam loving the disposable cameras

Charlotte, Lydia, Peyton, Marissa, Bruce

Tobin & Peyton

Lydia, James, Bruce, Renee, Katya, Lewis, Nina, Sarah, Emily, Anna

I loved being on vacation with my family. It was really fun to have us all together with no obligations but to have fun and spend time with each other. We have to do this again!

Strange, Windy Incident

2009-07-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

The kids and I joined my sister-in-law and and several other friends at their health club today. The kids played in the care center while Kristyn and I took a Pilates class. I wish I could join the club just for that class. It was awesome! But I don't want another monthly payment, so for now, my Pilates video will just have to suffice.

After the class we went to the pool for some fun in the sun. The shallow area, 1-3 feet deep, is awesome for kids. The adults could sit in the pool and play with the kids, who could actually touch the bottom! Such a difference from our community pool, which is 3 feet deep at the shallow end. We had a picnic lunch and did some more swimming.

At one point we were taking a break from the pool, when the wind picked up for just a moment. One of the kids' floating toys started to blow away, so I grabbed it with my left hand. A second later, the umbrella in the middle of our table flew up into the air. I grabbed it with my right hand, trying desperately to hang on. The umbrella was headed right for Maryam, who was frozen in place. Another gust ripped the umbrella from my hand. It dropped to the ground just in front of Maryam. I tried to grab it again, when another gust picked it up off the ground again, right over Maryam's head, and dropped it into the hot tub, just missing an older man and two little girls. At the same time I was wrestling and chasing our umbrella, other umbrellas and tables were being toppled. One of our friends and his one-year-old daughter had their table and umbrella blown over onto them. Fortunately, they were both ok. The poor baby was scared, though.

The wind probably lasted for 1-2 minutes and then it was calm again. Strange!

Save or Purge?

2009-07-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Since I returned home from vacation, I've been working on switching the kids' bedroom and the guest room. The kids were in the smaller of the two rooms before. I am moving them into the larger room so that I can move their toys out of the living room and into their bedroom. As it turns out, this is a much larger project than I initially anticipated. The large furniture is already moved and in new homes. Now I need to address all of the "stuff."

We have quite a lot of baby stuff--almost everything you can imagine, times two! I saved everything because we might have more children someday. There's also a large recliner that has seen better days; but it's the perfect chair for nursing twins, so I can't let it go. I really would like to have more space in my house and garage for things we are actually using. But I can't justify getting rid of all the baby stuff since we are not sure if we are done having babies. I have a desperate urge to purge right now, but I also really want a couple more babies.

Have you dealt with this conundrum? How do you reconcile the need for space with the need to be frugal/thrifty/practical?

It's Been So Long

2009-07-14T21:42:00.001-07:00

I can't believe I didn't blog during the entire month of June! Ok, yes I can. June marked the end of my 5th year teaching at Antioch High School. I worked at graduation, and this was the first time I actually cried at graduation. I realized that I was saying goodbye not only to the kids, but also to my friends and my career for a while. I didn't realize that I was going to be so sad about not teaching while I stay home with my kiddos. It was a very strange experience.

Moon Cousins

Two days after graduation Tobin and the kids and I hit the road for vacation. We caravanned with Tobin's brother Trenton and his family to see the Moons in Idaho. It was really fun to spend a week with the whole family together again. We went to Yellowstone for a day, but we didn't get to camp because it was too rainy. We decided it would be best to wait for better weather so our camping experience will (hopefully) be positive. But we did enjoy a nice, long day in the park anyway. We went to a hot springs pool for a swim, the boys played plenty of golf, the girls shopped, we ate lots of s'mores (made on the BBQ), etc.

Tobin and Lydia eating S'mores

After a week in Idaho, we drove down to West Jordan, Utah, to spend time with my family. **I will apologize now to those of you who live in Utah but did not see us while we were there. A week really is not enough time to get everything done. Sorry!** We spent time with family, helped do flowers and decorating for a wedding, had an 80th birthday party for my grandpa, met Lewis' fiance, stayed with my brother and his new wife, etc. We really enjoy spending time with all of our family.

Peyton on the carousel at Hogle Zoo

Maryam and Opa on the carousel at Hogle Zoo

After a week, Tobin flew home to California. The twins and I stayed in Utah to help my dad and mom out after my mom's surgery. We went to the zoo, worked in the yard, played with cousins, tried to keep order, cooked meals, did laundry and a little housecleaning, and much more. Mom is doing very well, and says she feels much better now that the surgery is done. At the end of two weeks, I rented a U-Haul trailer and my dad and brother Bruce helped me load up my bed and dresser from my childhood. Then, Dad drove home with the kids and me--and he did most of the driving! Yeah, Dad! He got to stay and play for one day, then he was on an airplane headed home again.

I'm sure there's a lot more to tell, but it will have to wait for a later post. That's enough light reading for now. Take note of the picture at the top of the blog now. If you don't remember what Tobin looked like before, scroll to the bottom and compare the picture there. He has lost about 60 pounds in the last six months! I'll work on getting new family pictures taken in the next few weeks, so we will have a nice new picture with my hot, skinny husband!

Calling All Campers

2009-05-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

You may know already, but Tobin and I are not campers. I camped quite a bit with my family when I was younger and attended all six years of girls camp with the young women in my ward. And we did real camping--sometimes tents, no showers some years, wilderness. But I have not been camping in a long time. Tobin has been a few times when he was a boy scout, I think. But he really doesn't enjoy it.

Our kids have started asking us to take them camping, so I am determined to have a family camping experience this summer. I need your advice! We are driving up to Idaho to see Tobin's family and I want to camp at Yellowstone for a couple of nights. Suggestions? Advice? Seriously, even the most basic advice will not be lost on us. I'm trying to conjure up all of my camping memories and knowledge. I'm not coming up with much so far.

My husband is not convinced that he wants to camp, so advice I could use to convince him to go would also be helpful. Otherwise it will just be me and the kids (and my brothers-in-law and their families).

Please help me!

Mother's Day Weekend

2009-05-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

This weekend has been wonderful! Friday happened to be Tobin's birthday, so we had a lot to celebrate. Our kids spent the night at my sister-in-law's house, so we had a whole night to ourselves. We went to Kohls and bought Tobin a few new articles of clothing, since much of his current wardrobe is too big now. (I'm so proud of him!). It was really fun to shop with just the two of us, no kids crying or whining or running away. After shopping, we went to dinner at La Veranda, an Italian place just down the street from our house. The food was great, and again it was nice to sit quietly and eat our dinner without struggling to get the kids to eat theirs.

Saturday morning we had a couples massage at a fairly new sports club/spa in Oakley. It was fabulous! They were having a Mother's Day special, including brunch, that we didn't know about. A lovely coincidence for us. We had a very nice time relaxing together, and we both really needed a massage. We picked up the kids shortly after the massages and had a nice afternoon with them. I went to the senior ball for Antioch High last night, so Tobin was home alone with the kids. While I was gone, he was super dad, even making sure they got a bath so it would be an easier Sunday morning.

This morning, Tobin and Peyton brought me breakfast in bed (Maryam was still asleep). Then, the kids joined me in my room for breakfast, so we had a picnic on the floor--I'm not really fond of the idea of three-year-olds possibly spilling syrup in my bed. It was so cute to sit and eat french toast with my sweet boy and girl on the floor of our bedroom. Church was pretty nice, and tonight we had dinner with the Cali family, minus Aunt Mary and Victoria. Dinner was awesome, especially the baby lava cakes I made for dessert. They didn't quite turn out right, but melted chocolate is hard to really mess up. Yum!

I'm so thankful for my husband and kids today. It was not so long ago that Mother's Day was really hard for me because it was a huge reminder of something I couldn't have. Something I feared I would never have. I think because we had to work so hard for our kids, I appreciate them more than I might have otherwise. My heart was breaking today, though, for the friends I have who are still struggling with this same trial. I hope all women know that they have an influence in the lives of the people around them, even if those people are not their biological children. Many women have been incredibly influential in my life, especially my mother and grandmothers. But there are some others who are not related to me who have also had a big impact on who I am. I'm so thankful for all of these women. I'm especially grateful for my own mom. She has taught me so much about being selfless, giving, caring, loving, etc. My mom is my inspiration. I hope I can be like her someday!

Filling My Lamp

2009-05-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

I love to attend baptisms. This is the little epiphany I had today. Because of my service in Primary, I have had the opportunity to be compelled to attend many baptisms. Because of the number of siblings I have, I have been able to attend many more baptisms. Every time I go to one of these special services, I am overwhelmed by the spirit of the Lord that attends me. I am filled with His great love for me. Even though attending is sometimes a duty, I always benefit from being there. I love seeing the innocence and beauty in the eyes of the young children who are baptized at age eight. And I love to see the hope and joy in the eyes of the adults who are baptized once they learn the truth of the gospel. What a wonderful, beautiful ordinance that opens the door to salvation and eternal life with our Heavenly Father! I am so blessed by his Spirit and His love!

The Itch

2009-04-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

I've got the itch, and I've got it bad! I'm itching for a new house and a new car. Neither of them are realistic at this point, but that doesn't stop me from wanting. Our house is an adorable 3 bed, 2 1/2 bath, with 1750 square feet. It's such a great place, and we've made so many wonderful memories here. But we really would like a house that has a living room and a family room. It would be so nice to have adult space separate from the kid space. And a real office--or at least an office area. And a storage room. And another bedroom. And a real yard where the kids can play. I'm sure you get the idea. I'm trying to keep myself satisfied right now by repeating the pioneer mantra "Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do, or do without."

Since I'm trying so hard to be content in a house that feels a bit too small, I'm getting the itch to get rid of STUFF. There's not too much we have that is excess at this point, but I'm willing to get rid of whatever excess is left. Now, according to Tobin that would include all of my craft and sewing things. But he just needs to wait until I'm out of school this summer. Oh, I've got projects planned already! In fact, I have a few up my sleeve that need to get finished by Father's Day, and I'm contemplating more for Mother's Day. . .

As far as a car, we don't really need a new one right now. We were hoping to get pregnant this past fall, so we would have needed a new car in the very near future. But alas, the pregnancy story doesn't seem to change for us . . . . It's a long, hard battle. I had my mind set on needing a new car for more kids, and now I can't seem to get rid of the itch to buy one. The thing that keeps me from seriously looking is the idea of another car payment. Yuck! I'll keep waiting until the time comes that we are actually pregnant with more babies. Or until we are independently wealthy. Whichever happens first.

Weddings Galore!

2009-04-07T11:17:00.000-07:00

My brother Bruce was married in January and my sister Anna was married in March. I haven't had time to post about either of these events, so here they are together.

Tobin, the kids, and I all drove out for Bruce and Marissa's wedding. It was the first time we have met Marissa, and we love her! Upon arrival in Utah, we immediately joined in the wedding mayhem and madness. Have you seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding? That's kind of what weddings are like with my family. We do everything from the decorating to the flowers to the pictures to the food. It's a lot of fun and a lot of work.

Maryam holding Marissa's bouquet (I was their florist.)

Mom and Aunt Mary -- Mom did parafin wax treatments on our hands after we were done with the work

Marissa made Bruce use parafin wax on his hands too!

I had been fighting a cold for about four weeks when we left for Bruce's wedding. So in the midst of all the mayhem, I was also getting all sorts of advice and remedies for colds. Unfortunately, I was not getting any extra sleep! :) I was pretty sure the cold had progressed to a sinus infection, but I figured it would be eaiser to wait and see the doctor when I got home, since there are no Kaiser facilities in Utah.

The wedding was beautiful. Bruce and Marissa were married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 17th. My younger sister Emily and our cousin Kyle were outside the temple with most of the young kids. Tobin's parents came down from Idaho to see us (really to see the grandkids), so they brought Peyton and Maryam to the temple. Everything was beautiful, and the kids loved going to the temple. It was a really long day, and by the end of the reception, Peyton was in full melt down mode. Sadly, so was I. We had to drive home the next day, and I was so sad to say goodbye to all of my family.

My parents, Marissa & Bruce, Grandma Walther

Cousins! Hope and Maryam

We made the drive home, which turned out to be an adventure because I was pretty sick by that point and Maryam was getting sick too. By Sunday morning, the day of our drive, I had a lot of pressure behind my right ear and was pretty sure that my cold/sinus infection had become an ear infection. The drive down from Reno to Sacramento confirmed my suspicions. That was painful! Poor Tobin and Peyton had to listen to Maryam and me crying for about two hours because our ears were hurting from the rapid change in elevation. Luckily, we were both able to see the doctor and get medicine the next day.

I attended Anna's wedding alone. I flew from Oakland to Salt Lake all by myself! That is the first time I have gone on a trip alone for a very long time. I stayed with Bruce and Marissa this time. The wedding mayhem was much more tame for Anna's wedding, since she already had a lot of things done from the first time she was engaged. We spent all day Friday decorating the church for the reception. We had a lot of fun. Anna and Kyle were married in the Bountiful Temple on March 14th. She was a beautiful bride, and we had a wonderful time again. (Have I mentioned that she looks alarmingly similar to me? Her engagement photos are surreal for me to look at. It's like looking at pictures of myself with the wrong guy!)

Decorating the Church

Anna & Kyle and Parents

Anna and Kyle didn't have a luncheon after the temple, so some of my siblings and I went to Gardiner Village. It's a little "town" of shops in the Salt Lake area (Murray maybe?). I love it! I want to live there! :) My sister Sarah introduced me to a shop called "Pine Needles." They sell things for quilting, cross stitch, and embroidery. Sarah and I are getting into embroidery, so we were like kids in a candy shop. I had fun spending time with my siblings, and especially getting to know Marissa more. It was really fun to get to stay with Bruce and his new wife. They are so cute together, and were so kind in helping to make me comfortable in their home. I wish my kids and husband could have come, but I did have a nice time by myself anyway.

The Walther Family - Can you identify who is missing?

Sibling Hug! (Are we clones, or what???)

Anna and Kyle love to swing dance, so she brought white pants to wear while dancing at the reception.

Sick Kids

2009-04-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

I am home from work today with two sick kids. Maryam started with a fever on Saturday night. She was sick all day Sunday, still with a fever about 102 degrees. Her fever finally broke early Monday morning. We played with friends yesterday; then in the late afternoon her fever was back! I feel so bad that we exposed other kids. I thought once the fever was gone that she was well again. Late last night Peyton started with the fever. I was really hoping that we could contain the illness to just one person. I guess not! The difference between my two sick kids is amazing.

Maryam was very sweet and loving while she was really sick. She wanted to play and cuddle. She was really, really sweet, which is unusual for her. She is so full of spunk and spitfire, that it was a nice little change for us to see that side of her.

Peyton is a whiny, cranky sick kid. He is moaning and groaning, but can't tell me anything that will help him feel better. I feel so bad for him; he seems to be SO sick! When Peyton is well, he is generally very loving, sweet, loves to play; so it is strange to see him like this.

Needless to say, I hope we are done being sick very soon! I am supposed to teach preschool tomorrow and Friday. But we might have to cancel or postpone, at least for tomorrow's school day. Poor kids!

Still Behind . . .

2009-03-31T21:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry, still no time for a proper post. But I'll let you all know that life is moving ahead quickly! I'm sure it is for you, too! Peyton and Maryam just turned 3! I don't know where 3 years has gone. I will try to post pictures soon. They are adorable and so smart. (Of course, I'm impartial, right?)

I have to brag for a quick minute . . . My hubby has been working really hard at diet and exercise since the start of this year. He has lost about 30 pounds already! I'm not going to post a picture yet, but I will eventually. I'm not even sure how he would feel about me posting this. But I'm so excited for him. He is doing such a good job staying motivated and committed. I'm really proud of him! And I've lost a couple of pounds by default. lol.

More later. Thanks for continuing to post on your own blogs, even when I am behind! :)

Too Little Time . . .

2009-03-19T17:20:00.000-07:00

I have not had much time for blogging lately. Sorry to anyone who may be a faithful reader. ha ha ha! I promise I will post more soon. Two of my siblings have been married in the past three months, and I'm sure countless other things have taken place. I probably should have chronicled some of them, but I'm getting to bed between 11 and 12 every night as it is. Sorry, but that's not really enough sleep for me. So be advised, we are still here and are doing well. I'm just crazy busy with life. But who isn't, right?

You Know You're OCD When . . .

2009-03-09T22:58:00.000-07:00

You know you're OCD when you have a certain way you "prefer" the dishwasher to be loaded. And you are willing to unload and reload dirty dishes just to make it so. You know OCD is heriditary when you find out a couple years later that your grandmother does the same thing!

Scented Soap + 2-year-old = Call to Poison Control

2009-02-21T19:02:00.000-08:00

We put the kids in their beds for "rest time" this afternoon, so we could get a much needed nap. It took a while to get them to stay in their room. Finally, I fell asleep. About an hour and a half later, Maryam came in my room to wake me. She said, "Mom, I need a drink of water. I have soap in my throat." Her words didn't really register at first, as I tried to surface from my sleepy stupor. So she said it again, clutching her throat, "Mom, I have soap in my throat."

As the words settled into my brain, I was suddenly fully awake, remembering the four bottles of Bath and Body Works Soap I had stashed under the sink in the kids' bathroom. I must confess that I am not the best mother in the world because this cabinet does not have a child safety lock on it. Maryam discovered the unopened bottles of soap a couple weeks ago. I instructed her not to play with them, and figured she would leave them alone. I guess curiosity got the best of her this afternoon when all the rest of us were sleeping. Three of the lids were unscrewed, and about four tablespoons of soap was missing. Yikes! I quickly turned to the back of the bottle to read the instructions for "in case of accidental ingestion." (BTW, has anyone else noticed that the print on those bottles is tiny! I could barely read it.) Of course, it said to call poison control. So I did.

Alarmed, adrenaline pumping, I informed the man on the other end that my nearly three-year-old daughter had eaten anti-bacterial soap. He calmly informed me that it would not hurt her. He asked how much she ate (as if I measured it out and watched her do it?), and I told him about 4 Tbsp is missing from the bottles. He calmly stated, "That's a lot. But it won't hurt her. Give her some water, at least four ounces. At the worst, she will vomit in the next 15 to 20 minutes." Of course I had to provide my daughter's name and my zip code before I hung up. Maryam never did throw up. I pumped water down her for a few minutes. She seems to be fine.

I don't really understand why she ate the soap, except that it smells good. Should I put regular Soft Soap or Dial in her bathroom to avoid this situation in the future? When I was pregnant, the smell of Soft Soap made me sick, and I still can't stand it. I don't even buy it anymore. That's why I switched to using the Bath and Body Works soaps exclusively. They didn't make me want to barf. But maybe they aren't such a good idea for small children. Hopefully eating soap is not a trick Maryam will want to repeat any time soon. She didn't seem to enjoy it much. Of course I had to record this story so I can remember to retell it at some embarrassing point in her future--high school graduation, wedding, when her kids eat soap or some other strange object.

I think this is the third time I have had to call poison control. Every time the kids have been ok; no doctor or ER trips required. Does this happen to anyone else?

Drill Sergeant Daddy

2009-02-21T18:56:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: This post contains mild potty talk. If you cannot stomach potty talk, please skip this post. :)

When I got out of the shower this morning, this is what I heard.

Daddy: (Drill Sergeant Voice) Where do we put our pee?

Peyton: In the potty!

Daddy: In the potty, sir!

Peyton: In the potty, sir!

Daddy: Where do we put our poop?

Peyton: In the potty!

Daddy: In the potty, sir!

Peyton: In the potty, sir!

Daddy: Maryam, where do we put our pee?

Maryam: In the potty.

Daddy: In the potty, sir!

Maryam: In the potty, sir!

etc . . . .

Daddy: Where do we put our pee and poop?

Peyton and Maryam: In the potty, sir!

Aparently this is our newest method for potty training. I guess we'll try anything. So far, kids' will power is winning out over all our methods. I guess they will just get the hang of it when they decide it's time. Until then, we continue to be goofy or frustrated, whichever fits the current mood.

Good Friends Make the Difference

2009-02-08T15:08:00.000-08:00

I'm so thankful for all of you, especially those who commented on my previous post. And I'm thankful for my friends here in California who I see regularly--I don't think they know about or read my blog. Anyway, the past two or three weeks have been really difficult. Trials and emotional struggles . . . . Your kind words and encouragement have really helped me turn the corner away from depression and despondance. It's so nice to know that I have people to rely on who can help to lift me up. And it's also incredibly comforting to know that I'm not the only one who struggles when I fall short.

In every situation in life, I can find something to be grateful for. I truly believe that. Thank you for helping me remember the good things I have and avoid focusing on the negative things that will last only for a moment. You are all fabulous! I hope you realize your beauty and worth.

I'm also incredibly grateful for the technology we have that makes it possible to keep in touch easily and quickly, even though we are so far away. Thanks, Stacie, for getting me to start a blog and Facebook! I feel much more connected with my friends and family than I have in a long time. That is a wonderful blessing!

Guilt of a Mormon Woman

2009-01-30T21:08:00.001-08:00

It has been a long and exhausting week for me, mostly because of some difficulties with one particular adult at work. I won't go into details. The story is far too long, and it weighs on my soul every time I repeat it. But I'm trying to stay focused on the bright side: It has become apparent to me this week how many wonderful friends I have at work and how many people truly support me. I have had other teachers offer me much needed support and advice that has helped me weather this ongoing storm.

This trial has caused me to evaluate things in my life and think about where all my stress comes from. And it has made me wonder if I am really putting the emphasis in my life where it should be. I have heard different things about Catholic people having issues with learned guilt, and I think Mormon women rank right up there too! I feel so much guilt about leaving my kids with someone else--fabulous though she may be--while I go off to work every other day. I feel such an awesome responsibility to make sure they are learning correct principles, morals, behaviors, etc. And I miss them tremendously when I'm away from them. I started wondering today if women who were raised with different views also feel this guilt. As Mormon women we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to try to be perfect, serve everyone, go the extra mile, give everything 110%, and on and on. But I just can't get it all done. No matter what I do, I'm always behind the curve on something. I know, this is where the Atonement makes up the difference. But it can still be discouraging to try to be everything to everyone all the time.

I have to learn how to put all this guilt away and be content with myself where I am . . . be content with what I can give right now. I've come to find out, most other people don't think I'm falling short. They think I have it all together. Maybe I do, and I just don't realize it. It's all perception, right?

Please note: This post is not a desperate plea for compliments. I just wanted to share my honest opinions/feelings about how hard we can be on ourselves and how I am feeling today. It helps me feel better and process when I write about it. And maybe someone else can relate and know she is not alone in her guilt and struggle.

Bad Day Turned Out Good

2009-01-21T22:31:00.000-08:00

I have been sick for about four weeks now. It started as a regular cold. I got better for two days about a week ago and thought I had finally kicked this bug. Then it came back with a vengeance. I now have an ear infection that I think started as a sinus infection. Needless to say, I feel awful! I had to go back to work today, and I was not really happy about working while sick. Peyton and Maryam were not happy about being dropped off at the babysitter's house, and especially not happy about their new dog. (My kids are deathly afraid of live animals.) My babysitter is very sick, and I was really worried about leaving my kids there with her not feeling well and them distraught. I had to come back a few hours later to take the kids to preschool because the babysitter was too sick to drive. Poor girl!

In the mean time I went to school to find that one of my final exams was stolen by a student in my first period last Friday. There was a sub tending my class that day while I was at my brother's wedding, so I was not there to be my usual crazy/cranky teacher self. The VP told me that I shouldn't have been absent during finals week, and basically implied that it was my fault the test was stolen. By the time I got to preschool I was nearly in tears for the second time today. The day was shaping up to be REALLY awful!

At preschool, two of the other moms asked what was wrong and promptly offered their help. One of them took my kids home with her after preschool so my babysitter could rest and recouperate and I could stay at work. They both followed up with another offer of help later in the day. I am so blessed to have such kind, giving, selfless friends! It was a really rough day, but the Lord still saw fit to show me his tender mercies in the wonderful women I know. I am inspired to be a better person.

This was the best ever!

2009-01-19T17:33:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we went to my brother Bruce's wedding in Salt Lake City. It was a crazy fast trip! My grandmother let our little family and Tobin's parents stay with her. I enjoyed seeing Grandma and staying with her. We had such a nice time meeting Bruce's new wife, Marissa, and Anna's fiance, Kyle. It was so great to spend time with my family. Have you seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding? That's a lot like wedding planning/prep at the Walther house. I loved every minute of being there.

During the song where Bruce was dancing with my mom, Maryam walked over and cut in. I have a cute picture of her dancing with both of them. While they were dancing, she told them, "This was the best ever!" Later when she was dancing with me, she said the same thing. I totally agree!

We drove home to California on Sunday. That morning, just outside of Salt Lake, Peyton asked where we were going. I told him we were going home to our house. He said, "No, I want to go to Mor Mor's house (my mom) because it's fun!" I'm so glad they both enjoyed the weekend there.

My Cuties

2009-01-07T22:35:00.000-08:00

I just have to share a few of the cute things my kids have said over the past couple of days. They never cease to amaze me.

This morning I was sitting on the 2nd to the last stair in our house putting on my shoes. Peyton came over and asked me to scoot over so he could sit by me. He sat down, leaned his head against me, and said, "Best friends!" I could have melted right there!

Peyton woke up first from nap time today. After a few minutes he decided that he wanted Maryam to be awake too. I told him to go check on her to see if she was up. A couple minutes later they came into my room together and announced that they wanted to go to Old McDonald's for dinner. I told them that we could go another time but not tonight. The response? Peyton (using his man voice) said, "We go by ourselves. Daddy will take us." So there you have it.

I've been trying to potty train both Maryam and Peyton lately. It's tough work! Peyton is actually getting the hang of it most of the time (except #2). Maryam doesn't really want to use the potty. I think it has more to do with not wanting to do what Mom wants her to do. I'm really scared that she has this teenage attitude already! Anyway, today I was trying again to convince her to use the potty. She said, "Mom, the potty is not for kids!"

Maryam has been clingy when I've tried to leave her at Nursery and preschool this week. Today, I finally had to let the preschool mom hold her back while I left. When I returned she informed me that she was sad when I left. She said, "I was really worried about you." Oh so cute!

The Completed DIY Project

2008-12-27T16:01:00.000-08:00

The guest room is finally finished! We installed the baseboards, changed out the outlet covers and light switch, and put all of the furniture back yesterday. It is so nice to have a usable room again! And just in time to have Trenton and Kristyn spend the night tonight! Whew!

I know the green is a little bright. I chose the color because we are planning to move Peyton and Maryam into this room in a few months when everything comes together with their twin beds. I am planning to make them bedspreads out of some fun, bright fabric that will coordinate with the wall color. Here begins the next part of the project, since I have not yet found or purchased the fabric or started the blankets. I am also working on decorations to hang on the walls and curtains to put on the window. I have some Anne Geddes pictures to go on Maryam's side, and I want to find something to do with sports or cars/trains/airplanes for Peyton's side.

Nevertheless, here are a couple pictures. . . .

The Case of the Falling File Cabinet

2008-12-27T15:38:00.000-08:00

We have been working hard to finish the guest room so that it can be turned into Maryam and Peyton's room once we have twin beds for them. On Friday, Tobin worked on putting in the new baseboards while I went through the filing cabinets and moved them downstairs. We have one two-drawer and one four-drawer cabinet. I easily and quickly cleaned out the two-drawer cabinet and moved it downstairs in a multi-step process: empty out the papers, files, etc; take them downstairs; take out the drawers and take them downstairs; move the cabinet downstairs. Then I started on the larger cabinet. This one took a lot more time since it has more in it, and many things in it date back to when we were first married or before. I had to decide what was still important to keep, what should be shredded, and what could be thrown in the garbage. During this process, Peyton and Maryam were alternating between "helping" us and watching TV/playing with their new toys.

I finally finished cleaning out the larger cabinet, and completed the multi-step moving process with the exception of moving the cabinet. Tobin offered to help me take it down the stairs, which I determined would be the best way to keep from hurting myself, the cabinet, or the house. I dragged the cabinet to the top of the stairs and left it there while Tobin finished up. I walked back to the guest room to check on Tobin, and a few seconds later I heard a terrible crashing sound on the stairs. Peyton and Maryam had been following me around through the moving process, and I had explained to them that we needed to wait for a few minutes before taking the cabinet down the stairs. They had stayed with the cabinet at the top of the stairs.

I'm not sure if Peyton was tired of waiting or if he decided to conduct a scientific experiment. This seems very much like something my brother Ray might have done as a child. "Let's see what happens when a large object at the top of the stairs is pushed. Will it fall? Will it roll? Which way will it go? What will happen when it reaches the bottom of the stairs?" All of these questions were answered in a couple of seconds. I ran from the guest room shouting, "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" as if my voice could keep the filing cabinet from completing it's descent. My shouting and the tumbling, crashing cabinet scared my poor boy to death. He sat at the top of the stairs crying his little heart out. I think he quickly realized that it was a bad choice to conduct this particular experiment. Tobin and I could not bring ourselves to punish him because he felt so badly about what he had done. Peyton remained down-trodden and woeful until I apologized to him about twenty minutes later. Ah, the irony!

Our hardwood floor and the file cabinet took the worst physical beating. The floor has a couple of lovely, deep gouges in it (see the picture below). We had to pound out the top of the cabinet in order to make the top drawer fit again. It works ok now, and has a lovely dent on the top right corner to remember it's trip by.

Christmas Day

2008-12-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

We had such a nice time together as a family on Christmas Day. Of course, the kids couldn't wait to get downstairs to open their presents. The funny thing was, they opened one thing and wanted to play with it. They didn't pay any attention to the other presents that were still sitting under the tree. I guess we could have given them each just one present. Next year we might let them open a present a day for a few days so they can have time to play with each one separately.

We spent the day together as a family, playing with our new toys. Tobin's brother Trent and his wife Kristyn and her cousin Kim came over for dinner that evening. It was so nice to have time to visit, play games, and enjoy being together. That is what Christmas is really about--enjoying family and remembering the Savior.

Here are some pictures from Christmas morning.

Peyton and Maryam coming down the stairs to see their presents. Maryam wanted to get dressed; Peyton insisted on staying in his pajamas.

Santa brought cameras for Peyton and Maryam. Hopefully this way I get to use my camera all by myself now.

Peyton with his first Thomas the Train set. He loves it!!!

Maryam with her doggie in a purse. I thinks her dog's current name is Belle. It was just Doggie for a while.

Maryam wearing her new dress-up princess dress and . . .

. . . jewelry!

Peyton surveying the aftermath.

Two-Year-Olds . . . Frustrating, Yet Funny

2008-12-22T20:09:00.000-08:00

My kids go back and forth between being easy to put to bed and very difficult. Some nights we lay them down, and they are asleep in minutes. Other nights we spend hours chasing or carrying them back to their room. Last night proved to be a difficult night. Maryam would wander down the stairs, with Peyton creeping just behind her. Over and over, I put them back in bed. Finally, they didn't reappear, and I thought we had won the battle. At 11:30ish I went upstairs to get ready for bed. As I came to the top of the stairs I could see that the kids' bedroom light was on and I could hear them talking. I walked into their room and found them both sitting in Peyton's bed with their blankies. I asked, "What are you doing?" Their reply . . . "We're just talking!" I had to laugh out loud. What on earth do two-year-olds have to discuss that is keeping them up so late at night???

The Moon Family

Going Through the Motions

Walking and Almost Walking

What to do . . .? Your advice is requested.

Wonderful Weekend

Christmas Projects

New Year, New Look

Unattended Camera

2011 Christmas Letter

Christmas Pictures

Father's Day A's Game

More Posts are Coming . . .

The Wisdom of Maryam

Growing Kids

Stinson Beach

Baby Blankets

Family Time

I Love Pixar!

Too Funny

Gualala Camping Trip

Time Flies

Unexpected Preschool Interruption

Caught Up . . . Mostly. . . and Baby Update

Catch Up Post #6 - New Year's Eve

Catch Up Post #5 - California Academy of Science

Catch up Post #4 - Christmas

Catch Up Post #3 - Blessing Day

Catch Up Post #2 - Halloween 2010

Catch Up Post #1 - Birth Story

Here We Go

More to Come

Quick Update

Still No Babies

Quick Update

31 Weeks and Counting!

Baby Names

A Riddle

Where Did a Month Go?

Mistake or Mischief

Our "Garden"

Daddy Daughter Date

Recently Finished Projects

Family Stay-Cations

I'm Losing It!

In Other News . . .

Another Small Miracle

Big Baby News

Half Way . . . plus a little

Kids! What a hoot!

Little Life Lessons

Baby Update

Chomping at the Bit

Blue Moon

Cute Kiddos

So Far, So Good

Our News

We're Alive

Plugging Along

Feeding the Chickens

Christmas Sunday

Christmas

Christmas Projects

Going to the Snow

I Have Lost My Mind

Christmas Season

Need . . . To . . . Craft . . .

Halloween Creating - 2009

Faith and Innocence

Child's Play

Pumpkins for My Punkins

Quilts for My Twins

Family Pictures

Birthday Fun

Air Quotes

Super Cute Totes!

The Transition

Where Babies Come From

Lewis and Renee's Wedding

Strange, Windy Incident

Save or Purge?