The Twinners

Here is my mother-in-law tandem feeding them. She is better at it than I am. She'll have to teach me her ways. We are sure going to miss her when she leaves on Monday. I've been able to get some sleep with her here which has been so nice. I am starting to feel a little more normal everyday. I've never appreciated sleep so much. They are growing fast. They gained 7oz. in the last 6 days. They now weigh 5lbs. 8oz. They look so much bigger to me already. They are such good babies. They rarely cry unless they are hungry or need a diaper change. I can't get enough of them. Every morning I wake up and can't believe they are all mine. It still feels to good to be true. I love being a mom!!

I love it when they are sleeping at the same time. Asher always leans in towards her. He likes to cuddle.

Zac is a very proud father. He takes such good care of them. He's far exceeded my expectations. I have a new found love for him. Sophie and Asher are so lucky to have him as a father.

They are still so small, it's hard to hold them at the same time. I am afraid they'll slip through my arms.

They are here!!

Sophie Shae and Asher Steven born on June 6th. They both weighed 5lbs. 3oz. and 18 inches long. They are the most precious babies in the world. Our lives will never be the same. We are completely head over heels for them, a bit sleep deprived, but happy as can be.

A little father-son bonding time.
Asher in his football sleeper.
Sophie with a big yawn.
Sophie just thinking about her life.

They love each other so much. They are best buds.

My mom came to town and helped us out for a whole week. Thank you mom!! She saved us from our first week of parenthood. She is the best!

Here they are playing footsie.

Asher is becoming very independent. He's figured out how to feed himself. More pictures to come.

Shower Festivities!!

So my dear friends threw an amazing shower for me last Saturday. It was so much fun. It was kind of like my wedding reception where all the attention was on me. The decorations were out of control and I have Cadi, my party planner friend, and her "committee" to thank for that. It was so sweet to walk in and be surprised by all the hard work and planning that went into this shower. I want to thank everyone who came and for your generosity. The coordinating outfits I received are amazing. I am so excited to dress my babies everyday. I am already thinking about how they will look in all these adorable clothes. I am getting anxious for them to get here so I can finally meet them. However, they are probably a lot easier to take care of in my belly than they will be once they're born. The reality that we are having twins is finally starting to set in as my stomach rapidly expands and I feel two babies kicking and twirling around. It's sort of freaking me out to think they'll be here before I know it. I feel so unprepared and inadequate to be a mother. Are these normal feelings for first time moms? Anyways, here are some pictures my sister diligently took through out the shower. I am sorry I am literally in everyone of them. Brace yourself for a lot of me.

Here are 4 of my sisters and my mom. My sisters originally weren't going to be able to make it for the shower since they all live in California. I was so sad about it and then on Friday night they surprised me by showing up to dinner. I was freaking out because I was not expecting them at all. It meant so much to me that they would drive 5 plus hours just because I wanted them to be there so bad. I will never forget it girls. I love you all so much.

Here are the two hosts of the party. Cindi, on my right was in charge of the food. She made awesome BBQ pulled pork and decadent Martha Stewart Chocolate cupcakes with green and pink frosting. Cadi was the decorator and master mind of the pink, green and black theme. As always she outdid herself. Thank you both for making me feel so loved.

Here are from left to right Amanda, Kristi, and Criscell. I call them my school friends, even though none of us are actually in school, all of our husbands are. I rarely get to see them anymore and it meant so much to me that they came.

Here is a shot of the crowd.

Here we are playing a super fun candy game. I won three candy bars, two of which I'd never had before, but are now new favorites, Zero bars and FastBreaks. So delightful!

Here is just one of the cute things the decorating committee put together. They also made a really cute diaper cake.

My sister Carli and I taking a picture with the new giraffe noise maker she gave me.

Here I am at 28.5 weeks. I know I look full term. The other day some random lady in the store asked me if I was past due. Who does that? I just have to keep telling myself there are two healthy babies in there. I am so glad they are growing well and are still measuring ahead of schedule. We're hoping to get to about 36-38 weeks which will make me due sometime between the middle and the end of June. I'm hoping before the 4th of July because I have like an entire red, white and blue wardrobe for each baby.

Well there's a glimpse of the shower for those who couldn't make it. We missed you Liz, but so excited for you. I guess having a baby of your own is an ok excuse to not be there. Thanks again to everyone for your excitement and support for us!!

26 weeks!!

So here I am at 26 weeks.  I feel more and more pregnant everyday.  As far as my swelling is concerned I have an appointment on Thursday and am praying they don't put me on bed rest.  I have been wearing compression stockings and elevating them, but as soon as I stand up they swell again.  Frustrating.  Thanks for all the sympathy and phone calls.  Oh, and thanks to my sister Sarah who thought I posted someone else's foot off the internet as an April Fool's joke.  Oh how I wish it were a joke.

Stung by a bee... JK

No not really, I wasn't stung by a bee.  This is really my foot loving pregnancy.  I am having some pretty awesome swelling that I was not expecting at only 25 weeks.  My legs have been slowing me down a bit.  I feel fluid sloshing around when I walk and it's very uncomfortable.  My toes are always numb and it hurts to bend my ankles.  It feels like something is tearing.  Anyone else had these problems while pregnant?  My veins in my legs are just as pretty as my foot.  They are big and bulging and so ugly.  Despite all my complaining I would still never trade this experience for anything.  I wake up everyday feeling so blessed to be having two little babies in just a few short months.  We can't believe how fast the time is going.

This is my foot before a pedicure, with one toe nail painted because I can't reach them to paint them myself.  My mom was nice enough to treat me to a pedicure for Easter, along with a massage-I love her!

We ordered and received cribs this past week.  Here Zac is dutifully putting one together.  I am debating whether or not to put the other one up now or wait until they can't share one anymore.  Our nurser is going to be quite crammed.  It's going to be all cribs and dressers with no floor space left.  

This is what I've been addicted to for the past couple of weeks.  I make this killer chocolate banana shake every night that I love so much.  I would post  the recipe except I never measure anything and I make it a little different each time.  It does have Hershey's chocolate syrup, whip cream and bananas in it- I do know that much.  It is so delicious and refreshing.  I have also been really into smoothies and orange floats.  I think it's because the weather is starting to heat up a bit here in AZ.  All I know is I am glad my sweet tooth is back because living without really just isn't as fun.  There is nothing to look forward to at night when you don't like sweets, sorry non-sweet-lovers, but it's true.

This Weekend

Zac and I had a fun weekend.  We went to see the movie "Remember Me."  We both surprisingly liked it.  It got mixed reviews so we went into to it with low expectations.  Those are usually the movies we enjoy the most.  We realized on Friday night that our date nights with out kids or finding a babysitter are coming to an end soon.  We decided we better take advantage of the next few months and squeeze in as many movies as we can.  We also went to the temple and Cafe Rio and Bahama Bucks afterwards.  For those of you who aren't familiar with Bahama Bucks it's a really good shaved ice joint.  While we were there Max Hall, (former BYU quarterback) walked in.  Zac was pretty stoked.  He was too chicken to say anything to him though.

Here is just a random picture of Sunday dinner.  Nachos- I know, I should cook more often. Actually, this picture is for our friend Aaron.  I had to do it because he always makes fun of Zac for taking a bite of something in all his pictures.  I think he just feels more comfortable eating than smiling for the camera.

Here's Zac showing off his Yahtzee game card.  He doesn't beat me very often so when he does he likes to show it off.  

Here I am with my belly.  I am no question showing a lot now.  I am 23 weeks this thursday.  It seems like the last two weeks my stomach just exploded with babies.  They are both measuring about ten days ahead of schedule.  Hopefully they keep it up in case I deliver early, they can still be big and healthy.  I weighed 10.2 lbs. when I was born, and so far it looks like my babies will probably take after me.  

Hands down (no pun intended) , the best part of pregnancy is resting things on my belly.  I can just relax my arms and hold a huge big gulp with no hands.  I can also hold jars of peanut butter and bowls of popcorn.  I am really enjoying being pregnant now that I am not so sick.  I am having issues with maternity clothes though- I HATE THEM!!  The pants with the big band make me feel like I'm wearing a Spanx or a girdle, neither of which I wear when I am not pregnant so why would I want to start now?  My regular pants obviously don't fit me and the rubber band trick so does not work for me.  I am pretty much limited to sweat pants or elastic waste grandma pants.  Any suggestions expert maternity clothes wearers?  I need help.  I always wanted to be a super cute pregnant girl with an adorable wardrobe like everyone else I see, but I just can't make it happen I'm afraid.  Maybe next time I'll get it together a little better.

Anyways, the weekend was a fun one and I am already excited for next weekend.  Have a fabulous week!

A Friendly VIsit

My dear friend Sarah came to visit with her husband and new little baby daughter, Julia.  She is so cute.  I just want to eat her up.  There is no better feeling than having a baby asleep in your arms.  I can't wait!!  Zac and Paul, Sarah's hubby, finally got to meet.  They've been best friends for a while, just never had the chance to meet each other until this weekend.  Well Sarah and I believed they would be best friends and I think we were right.  Paul amused Zac by not only watching Bear Gryles with him, but acting amused as well.  He is a criminal defense attorney and entertained us one night with interesting/sad stories from his experiences.  We had a great time, there was only one problem though, they didn't stay long enough.  

Does he look like a natural?  We don't have much time to get Zac ready for newbornhood.  He will catch on fast I'm sure.  We just need to do some diaper training and crying tolerance and I think we're set.

What I have to look forward to in just a few short months.  Is this not the most precious moment ever?  Sarah was born to be a mother.  She is already a pro and her daughter is only two months.  She has that magical touch no one else has.  She's got a bounce that puts that baby to sleep in a wink of an eye.  I have a lot to live up to.

This was taken at our church just as they were getting ready to leave.  I really didn't want to have to hand Julia over, but they weren't going for my idea of leaving her behind with us.  

It was just as hard to say goodbye to Julia as it was to Sarah who've I've known for nearly a decade.  That's just how fast mine and Julia's connection happened.  

Thanks for coming and staying with us Mickelsens.  We can't wait for our trip to Vegas in April  We'll meet at the Rio buffet at 5:30.  Don't let us down now.  That is a joke unfortunately.  We just had to have some kind of plans made to ease the sadness of their departure.  A get away to Vegas was what we came up with.