They're here!!!!

A few weeks ago I had an appt (about my 500,000 one) and it was confirmed that "Baby B" was in fact breech. The NP decided to schedule me for a c-sec on Feb 25. I left that appt very discouraged. I was told I would deliver no later than 38 weeks which would be Feb 21. The thought of recovering from a c-sec with two newborns and a preschooler didn't exactly excite me either. The next week I met with the OB and we decided to move the induction/c-sec to the 21st. I was glad about that but still not totally sold on the c-sec, of course I wanted healthy babies so I would do what needed to be done. Each OB had different opinions on the method of delivery and I just wanted to feel secure in our decision and that the doctor would do what was best.

On Feb 12 I met with my high risk doc and we reviewed my previous ultrasounds and non-stress tests. He asked if I would be ok with an earlier induction. Seriously? What pregnant lady would want to be pregnant a moment longer? Of course I'd be ok with it! He then asked if my husband would be ok with it. Does his opinion really matter? I didn't skip a beat and just told him he would love for me to be done with this pregnancy. Since the girls were sharing a placenta and I was almost 37 weeks he thought it would be a safer and healthier option than waiting until 38 weeks. Music to my ears! The OB set the induction for the 14th. Silly, but I didn't want them to be born on v-day. I mean they are sharing everything else, can't they just have a nice birthday dinner without everyone else eating out too? We moved the date to Fri the 15th. Wednesday night I started having contractions and couldn't sleep at all. I woke up and decided that maybe the 14th would be a cute day to deliver my little sweethearts. Plus my favorite doc was on-call that night and that eased my labor and delivery fears. The girls weren't moving very much and my contractions had stopped so we decided to head to the doc. I met with Dr. Broberg who thought I should just be induced right then rather than come back in the morning. We discussed all the risks involved with a breech delivery but decided that it would be worth a shot.

 Around 8:30pm they started the pitocin, 11:00 epidural/water broke and at 2:10 they wheeled me down to the OR, I had to deliver there just in case. Everything up to this point had been great, I wasn't in pain or scared. I was able to rest and had really great nurses. Once we reached the OR I started getting nervous. How long would this take? What if I delivered one and then a c-sec for the other? How long will they spend in the NICU? How will I take care of TWO newborns? I remember looking over at David in his scrubs and telling him how nervous I was. Dr. Broberg and all the nurses were great at reassuring me things would be fine and that I could do it. 2:20 am I started pushing, 2:22 Tatum arrived bright red and crying, 2:26 Kate came feet first, blue and lifeless. I remember being worried but not terrified. I had had so many blessings and prayers that I knew she'd be fine. They quickly sent her off to get oxygen for about a 1 min. and then both girls were able to be with me.

I can't begin to describe the emotions with their birth. The word that sums it up is RELIEF. Relief that they were both here, and healthy and strong. Relief that the labor and delivery was amazingly smooth. Relief at how perfect they were. I loved being able to hold my girls and examine everything about them. Instant love and thankfulness for them.

Tatum Belle 5 lbs 13 oz 17 inches

Kate Emma 5 lbs 10 oz 18 inches

They had to spend a night in the NICU for low blood sugar but we were ALL able to come home Sunday morning. Incredible!

These little girls are such a blessing. I never imagined having twins but this has been the best surprise. They can usually comfort each other in the crib and I love to watch them snuggle up together. I'm so grateful for their health and that I can be a mother to them and Grant.

just keeps growing and growing and growing

I swore I would never post pregnancy pictures of me again but my thoughts and feelings have changed. I've been so nervous to bring two little girls in to the world. Maybe I'm wrong in my assumptions but I feel that they will, at some point, be compared not only to each other but other girls and I want them to always be kind to themselves and never feel insecure about who they are. I feel like I need to be a better example of that if I hope to instill in them a since of pride and self-esteem.

One of my favorite things is to read about how the girls are growing and what milestones they are reaching each week. I'm quite fascinated with the human body and how it works. The last few years I've been known to just "go off" on how amazing and forgiving our bodies are. It's mind boggling that our bodies just know how to operate and what it does/doesn't like that we do to it.

This pregnancy has been quite a miracle in my eyes. The fact that my 5'1" frame is carrying around TWO babies is just crazy. The toll my body has taken has been hard but at the same time I'm amazed that I can walk around and bend and reach (ok maybe not so much these past few weeks) and that my feet/back/ankles can support myself and two other people. Sure most days aren't so pretty and I get frustrated that I can't just go for a run or tie my shoes or carry the laundry upstairs....wait....scratch that. I know that it's worth it, and I'll be able to feel "normal" one of these days right? Right??? I do love that I'm able to be pregnant and that they are active and growing. 10 more days! I sure can't wait to meet these little babes!

17 weeks. I'm not sure how far Grant is....he's pregnant with puppies.....still. 

  

20 weeks (maybe 21-22 I can't remember)

35 weeks

Christmas past....

This little boy is by far my favorite side kick these days. He was absolutely in love with Christmas this year. He'd talk about Santa and flying Reindeer, he'd comment how certain Santa's weren't real since they didn't have a "ball" on their hats etc. His favorite thing this Christmas season? Charlie Brown. He read and read and memorized every Charlie Brown Christmas book and movie he could snag. It was quite humorous and incredibly sweet. Here's a little peek at his obsession. BTW David and I had no part of this, totally learned it on his own.

I probably was a little more on the Scrooge side this year and didn't always feel up to sliding around on the ice and freezing my tushy off. We still managed to do some fun things inside our nice crowd-free, warm home. 

All Grant asked for from Santa was a Dream Lite. Yes a Dream Lite. I'm just as confused as you are about how anyone could come up with this idea and charge too much for it and people actually buy it. Anyway he was over the moon about having it.

We also surprised him with this beauty.  He absolutely loves it (who wouldn't? Didn't we all want a power wheels car at some point?!) and will put little treasures in it each day, go through the "drive thru" for his breakfast and lunch and make sure it's locked up and full of gas each night. I love watching him pretend and expand his imagination.

It's official!

I'm a little late announcing this but We ACCEPTED A JOB!!! After graduation we are California bound and couldn't be more excited about that!!!! The whole month of November David flew around the country interviewing, he was in 5 states within 14 days. It was crazy, neither of us could ever remember where he was or where he was going. All his hard work and preparation paid off when Adobe called and offered him the position in San Jose. They do have an office here in Lehi but the corporate office is located in CA and we feel that will be a great starting point for us. I'm so proud of David!

We were debating between Mars (candy) in New Jersey and Adobe, we both feel really good about our decision. I am excited for visitors...hint hint. Sure it may be cramped in our teeny tiny cardboard box but we'll gladly welcome guests! This is going to be a very busy spring in the Luke house! Poor little Grant won't know what hit him.....new babies, packing up toys, leaving friends. Ugh. I suppose he should be used to this considering he's lived in 5 states in 4 years! Sheesh! Wish us luck! 

photo overload

I love this time of year. It's especially fun with Granty pants. We try to take advantage of David's free time but it's pretty hit and miss. Here are a few things we've been able to do this fall. 

 

Nachoooooo

I know you are all dying to know each detail of our holidays and you've been waiting and waiting for me to post about Halloween. Well friends, the wait is over. This was probably my favorite Halloween with Grant. He is old enough to enjoy crafts and loved wearing his costume to multiple parties. Last year we debated between Alvin and Nacho. We decided on Alvin and lucky for us my nephew was Nacho, which meant we could easily borrow the outfit this year. Grant was in heaven! He'd go around quoting the movie and would give us an "anaconda squeeze" before bed. I can't get enough of this costume. I think it's hilarious!

All three (or five) of us were a hit at the MBA and ward parties. David was an inflatable ostrich....random and funny. I went as a double stuff Oreo. I have a thing for Oreos and this was a great opportunity to dress up with the twins. My dad worked hard making my costume, it turned out great. 

In typical Grant fashion, he refused to wear his shirt or even cape while trick-or-treating. In typical Jodee mode, I was more worried about being reported than I was about his well being. He was slow as molasses as we wondered from house to house. His OCD was in full force that night. He MADE sure he said "trick-or-treat" and "thank you" AND " happy Halloween" to each and every neighbor. If he forgot anything we'd have to go back and say it. He didn't dare say it from the street or even set foot on the grass to quickly run up to the door. Sweet? Absolutely! Annoyingly long night? Most definitely! He still talks about Halloween and loves to turn all the lights off and declare that it is in fact Halloween. I hate it. I really do. I'll be in the middle of doing dishes or reading when all of the sudden it's pitch black. I hope this goth phase ends soon.

Results are in.....

I've had more than my fair share of ultrasounds this pregnancy but when I heard that my ultrasound with the high risk doc would be at 17 weeks I knew without a doubt they'd be able to tell the gender during that appt.   My neighbor and I started planning for a "gender reveal" party for the neighborhood. I'm so glad we did one, and even more glad that my mom and sil were able to be in town for it too!

That afternoon David, Grant and I went to the appt and I quickly told the tech that we didn't want to know gender there but to put the results in an envelope. She did a very thorough ultrasound and we were obviously relieved to just have two healthy babies and to see them kicking around and their little heartbeats rapidly  moving. I love seeing these little babies and what an amazing miracle life is. It's always crazy to me how quickly they develop and what they are growing/doing each week. One of the babies kept sucking it's hand and opening and closing it's palm. 17 weeks! What a fun thing to watch!

David and I watched as she labeled each part of their bodies. She then told us she was going to reveal the gender, we watched up until she actually wrote on the screen what they were. When we got out to the car we discussed what we both thought they were. Knowing that they're identical made it a little easier to guess.

As soon as we came home we handed the envelope to my neighbor and she headed off to fill a box with either pink or blue balloons. That evening we had everyone take a either a blue or pink cupcake and we opened the box to find......

Holy moly, twin girls! We are pretty excited about that little fact though. Hopefully we'll see these little babes the end of Feb.