Thursday, November 30, 2006
For those of you who don't know, I'm a runner. Okay, not now, but I used to be. I started running when I was in high school and by the time I got to college I was running three miles a day. There was even a time when my roommate Ginny and I would get up at five in the morning in negative forty degree Rexburg weather complete with two feet of unshoveled snow just so we could go running before my seven o'clock College Algebra class. I love running. I love putting on my headphones and blasting my head full of loud thumping music. I love the sweat, the pain, the rythmn, and the runner's high. I never got skinny as a runner, sort of like I never get skinny when I nurse babies, even though everything I read says I should. Guess I'm much too good at eating. But. . . I always loved to run. And the truth is, I miss it terribly. I dream of the day when I can run again and the strange sense of freedom it gives me.
Why am I telling you this? Well, not too long after I gave birth to Hunter I started having this recurring dream, about once or twice a week for like a year. In the dream I'd get all ready to go running but soon after I'd set off on my run I wouldn't be able to lift my feet. It was like I had two cinder blocks attached to my feet and try as I may, I couldn't run. I still remember waking up after those dreams and the terrible feeling of being weighed down and trapped. My analysis: I was feeling trapped in my new role as a mother and a bit trapped, unable to do all the things I could prior to his birth. Hunter, basically, was weighing me down.
Then, right after I had Noah I started having a different recurring dream. Again, once or twice a week for about a year. This time, I would stuff wads and wads of bubble gum into my mouth until I finally got to the point where I'd start choking on the gigantic wad of gum in my mouth and start to suffocate. I thought the dream after Hunter was bad. . . this one was terrifying. My analysis: Basically I had bitten off more than I could chew, having two kids and all, and I didn't feel like I could handle all the responsibilities involved.
I'm relieved to say that after I had Denver and Caleb, there were no recurring dreams. I suppose as a parent you come to a point where having kids isn't so scary and you learn to deal with whatever the kids dish out, as well as juggle all the other things you need and want to do. Unfortunately, with the birth of the twins, I've started having another recurring dream and I'm finding it most disturbing. Basically, Mark keeps totally dissing me for another woman. The woman varies with each dream, but the circumstances are always the same--I desperately need him and want him but it's very clear he wants to be somewhere else with someone else. My analysis: I'm definitely feeling insecure about myself right now. You would be too if your belly had been stretched beyond capacity and was now a bunch of saggy, baggy stretch-marked elephant flab drooping over a most disgusting eight inch scar and your boobs were bigger than most porn stars and you were told you can't exercise or have sex for six weeks and you had a bottomless pit for a stomach and you were constantly stuffing your face with food in a desperate attempt to fill the void and everytime you sit down with your significant other you fall asleep and start drooling uncontrollably on his lap (and when you do manage to stay awake you have nothing intelligent to say besides what Caleb's poop looked like today and how ugly you feel) and then when you do wake up to feed the baby(ies) you rant and rave about stupid, silly things because you are so dang tired, nursing two babies is the last thing you feel like doing in the middle of the night. And I suppose I do have this underlying fear that Mark really does want to be somewhere else right now. But nothing in Mark's behavior has implied that at all so it's weird that I should feel so worried.
So. . . what's your analysis? I honestly think I started losing brain cells with the birth of Hunter and that was just the beginning of the long road to insanity. Now I'm just thinking I've almost reached my destination. . . the looney bin.
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Wednesday, November 22, 2006
About a week ago as I was walking the boys to school the Lollipop Lady (aka the crossing guard or Mary) stopped me. She said that one day while I was still in the hospital with the twins and Mark was walking the boys to school, her friend (an old lady from Puerto Rico) asked her if Mark was my husband. When Mary told her he was, the old lady said, "Oh. . . so that's what the Father of All looks like." Everywhere we go people are amazed at our family. I'm not sure if it's the size or the number of boys or the twins or a combo of all three but people can't help but stop and stare. Last Saturday my Mom and I hit the mall with the twins. Mom pushed the stroller around and no matter where we went people stopped her to guffaw at the twins. Every time we stopped the conversation went exactly like this:
Stranger: "Oh look at that little baby. . .oh! There's two. Are they twins?"
Grandma: "Yes."
Stranger: "Boys or girls?"
Grandma: "Boys."
Stranger: "Are they identical?"
Grandma: "Yes."
Stranger: "Wow!"
Grandma (very proudly): "That's nothing. She's got four more boys at home under the age of eight."
Stanger (if not passed out, dead on the floor): "Oh my gosh! God bless you!"
I think the time we spent at the mall was doubled just by the mere fact that we had to stop every ten seconds to answer someone else's exact same questions. I'm not big on having a lot of attention focused on me but I have to admit, it was kind of fun. I don't feel like I'm doing anything spectacular but everyone else sure does. Kinda makes a girl feel important, you know, sort of special.
P.S. Don't you think the "Father of All" looks pretty hot in those Scrubs and mask. Look how his eyes twinkle behind all that sterile stuff.
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Monday, November 20, 2006
About a week ago Grandma Stout asked the boys if they have Family Home Evening to which they replied, "Nope." That's not exactly one hundred percent accurate, because we do. . . sometimes. But if you were at our house on any given night, say a Monday, around 6:00pm you'd understand why many FHE's never happen. The words "crazy" and "out-of-control" hardly do the chaos in our home justice.
Still, there's something about hearing your kids' disappointment in their parents, expressed to their grandparents that makes a person want to have FHE despite the fact that all hell has broken loose around them. And tonight that's exactly what we did. Mark taught a lesson about giving thanks and we played Thanksgiving Scattegories and had Bethany's Apple Cinnamon Cake for dessert. Then we made a list of all the things we're thankful for. Here's what we came up with. Looks like this Thanksgiving we have a lot to be grateful for. . .
1. Our parents
2. The military/soldiers
3. Brothers and sisters
4. Denver's Backhoe
5. Our children
6. Freedom
7. Our spouse/companion that is a best friend
8. Yummy food
9. Our beds(Grandma Stout suggested this one)
10. Our special blankets
11. A warm house
12. Electricity
13. Nintendo
14. Blogs to read and keep in touch with friends and family near and far
15. America
16. Computers
17. Cameras
18. Babies
19. Books
20. Movies
21. The Gospel
22. Jesus
23. School
24. Friends
25. Family
26. Teachers
27. Pictures
28. Cars
29. Music
30. Pie
31. Disposable Diapers
32. Temples
33. Church
34. Suburbans that seat nine
35. Prophets
36. Doctors and Nurses
37. Modern medicine
38. Hospitals
39. Pillows
40. Silkie Blankets
41. Clothes
42. Bodies
43. Daddy's job
44. Book of Mormon/Scriptures
45. Couches
46. Sunshine
47. Chickens
48. Birds
49. Laughter
50. Mountains
51. Toys
52. Gardens
53. Snow
54. Rain
55. Trees
56. Air
57. Nighttime (Grandma Stout suggested this one too--I think she was getting sleepy)
58. Family Night (Yes. . . even tho we only have it hardly ever)
59. Autumn Colors
60. Seasons
61. Policeman/Firefighters
62. Heaters
63. Air conditioners
64. Fire Trucks
65. Pianos
66. Our hammock
67. The moon
68. Stars
69. Grass
70. Hot chocolate and marshmallows
71. Parks/Playgrounds
72. Peapod Grocery Home delivery
73. Pizza
74. Forgiveness/Repentance
75. Washing Machines and Dishwashers
76. Singing
77. Grandparents
78. Snugging
79. Chocolate
80. Mail and packages
81. Eternal families
82. Airport/airplanes
83. Popcorn
84. Sign Language
85. Indians/Pilgrims
86. Rainbows
87. Spring
88. Flowers
89. Santa Claus
90. Christmas
91. Baby soft skin
92. Holidays
93. Microwave
94. Trucks
95. Technology
96. Angels
97. Bandaids
98. Kisses
99. Manicures and Pedicures
100. Fox News (Grandma Stout)
101. Art
102. Easter Bunny
103. Ice cream
104. Ice cubes (would never have survived the last pregnancy without 'em)
105. Television
106. Work
107. Trials
108. Inspiration
109. Clocks
110. Water
111. Love
112. Joy
113. Peace
114. Fiber (Noah loves fiber almost as much as he loves candy)
115. Life
116. Pacifiers (This suggestion resulted as the twins got fussier and fussier)
117. Lawn Mowers
118. Jewels and Gems (Noah shouted this one in my ear and as a result. . .)
119. Hearing aids (we got this suggestion)
120. Glasses/contacts
So. . . what did we miss? What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
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Friday, November 17, 2006
 
It seems the twins are changing every day. This week's latest development--chubby cheeks! Hurray! Can you tell them apart this week? Last night was the first time I had the chance to test my abilities. Mark put them in clean pajamas and then presented them to me. I got it right, however, there is no way I'm taking that nail polish off Jericho's toes for a really long time. . . sorry buddy. For those of you still struggling, Jericho is in yellow and Justus is in blue.
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Thursday, November 16, 2006
Maybe you've seen this before. I have. At the Apple Barn where I buy yummy things like Vidalia Onion and Peach Salsa, Cinnamon Chip bread and Bog Frogs. But it was just this past September that I noticed it up on their wall and fell in love with it. It's very similar to this only way better. I'm planning on putting it in all of my children's scrapbooks--it's great advice to live by.
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann , 1927
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Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Yesterday when Grandma Stout showed up at our house, Denver asked, "Grandma, how come you don't bring Grandpa with you anymore?" Guess he missed the part about Grandpa going back to Utah. And I guess Grandpa is missed more than we knew. Sure you don't want to come back and spend Christmas with us Grandpa?
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 Last week when I picked Noah up from school he immediately announced that Mrs. M said a nearby bank was robbed over the weekend.
"Oh," I said. "I didn't know that."
"Yeah," said Noah. "Mrs. M said he took a sucker with him."
Of course we all know Mrs. M didn't say that diddy about the sucker. Noah made that part up and if you know Noah at all you know he's the king of tall-tales. But I found it particularly hilarious, especially because if Noah ever robs a bank (heaven forbid) I can see him stopping by the sucker basket and grabbing a sucker or two for himself. Thanks for making me always laugh Noah. I love you.
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It's chasing after this little rascal that's going to be the death of me. Caleb has decided that the world, including our house, is his playground and nothing is off limits. He can climb onto the stove, the kitchen table and the pianos. And if getting up there wasn't victory enough, he has to stand on top of them and dance a victory dance. I finally smartened up this morning and blocked off the entire kitchen but that just leaves the rest of the entire house for him to tackle. Ugh!
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Thursday, November 09, 2006
of not posting enough pictures of the twins. That's mostly cause I haven't taken that many recent pictures and also cause there's something about having six kids that makes me a little bit busy. But because I love y'all (Kathy) I took a few snapshots just for you.
Can you tell who is who? I'll post the answer in the comments but try and guess. Grandma Stout is one hundred percent certain she can tell them apart. I, on the other hand, am not so sure. I can definitely tell them apart, but I'm not ready to remove the red nail polish I applied to Jericho's big toes this week. Jericho has a longer, thinner face and a more olive complexion. Justus has a ruddier complexion and a boxier face. His nose is very similar to Jericho's except that it looks like he walked into a glass door and smooshed his nose a bit. I think Jericho has Mark's upper lip and Justus has mine.
This is Jericho. He spends a lot of time doing just this--sleeping. He is definitely the quieter one of the two and very content. Justus is a bit more fiesty and commands much more attention than his brother. At night it is always Justus that wakes me up and then together we wake Jericho. Grandma Stout thinks Jericho will have a personality like Noah's and Justus will be more like Denver. I don't know who they will resemble but I do know they will be very unique individuals despite the fact that they are identical twins.
Justus (left) at two weeks weighs 6 pounds 12 ounces which means he's gained over a pound since he left the hospital. Jericho (right) weighed in at 6 pounds 8.5 ounces so he's gained exactly one pound since we left the hospital. There's something very satisfying about breastfeeding your babies and seeing them gain weight so quickly. I guess it's one thing I know how to do really well--breastfeed and make fat babies. Of course, with the extra two pounds of baby, they aren't fitting so well in the swing together and kind of get squished. Guess it's time to pull out the second swing.
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Saturday, November 04, 2006
 Today we managed to:
We enjoyed a most delicious enchilada dinner provided by our friends, the Hoggans, and we kept all six kids safe and happy. And somehow I'm still blogging with two babies in my arms and one finger. Go us!
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Thursday, November 02, 2006
 So we finally got the results back from the hospital lab where they sent my placenta. We knew the twins had separate sacs (diamniotic) almost from the very first ultrasound. Of course, that doesn't tell us anything about whether or not they are identical or fraternal. When they delivered the twins, they couldn't tell if the placenta was one single placenta or two fused together. If there is only one placenta then they are identical twins. If there are two placentas, they can be either identical or fraternal. Anyway, as it turns out, our placenta was monochorionic which means there was only one placenta and we've kept with the Henrichsen tradition and produced identical twin boys.
 Today I was reading a little about identical twins and found some interesting facts:
First, we had the least common type of twins which I think, is kind of cool. "There are five variations of twinning that occur commonly in the world. The three most common variations are all fraternal: (1) male-female twins are the most common result, at about 40% of all twins born; (2) female fraternal twins (sometimes called sororal twins); (3) male fraternal twins. The last two are identical: (4) female identical twins and (5) (least common) male identical twins."
Second, the odds of us having identical twins is 1:150 births, worldwide. This is not considered to be a hereditary trait. However, I'm still convinced genetics had something to do with this and that there must be something in the sperm that causes the egg to divide. But that's just me thinking. . . .
 Third, when the fertizlized egg divides will determine how many placentas and sacs you will have. If this division happens in the first three days following fertilization, the twins will have their own placenta and membranes and will look the same on a scan as non-identical twins. If the division occurs between the fourth and ninth day, they will share a single placenta but will each have their own sac (diamniotic, monochorionic). Two thirds of identical twins are monochorionic. If division occurs after the ninth day, your twins will be in a single sac (monoamniotic and monochorionic). This is quite rare, seen in only 1-2 per cent of all twins. If division occurs after the twelfth day following conception, the result will be conjoined (Siamese) twins, which fortunately, is extremely rare.
Anyway, the twins are doing really well. At their two day follow up exam (making them a whopping five days old), Jericho had gained three ounces and Justus had gained five, bringing them almost back to birth weight. At birth Jericho had some Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC's) but five days later, the doctor couldn't hear them at all, which we're very glad about. Also, Justus had a little cyst under his tongue which is also gone now. They sleep really well, if I do say so myself, and I only have to get up once or twice each night. I'm still nursing and for the most part have been able to nurse them both at the same time. It's a little strange and it's not something I can do in public, but it saves me a lot of time and makes the nights a little more bearable. I've lost all of my twin weight except for six pounds and can hardly wait to start exercising again and lose a few more extra pounds. Of course, with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, I'm not sure I'll have much success with exercise or weight loss anytime soon. My belly is nothing but saggy-baggy skin and I'm not sure how I'll ever recover from the stretching but I suppose that's not important right now. What does matter is that right now I have two very sweet little boys on either side of me, sleeping soundly, and they are healthy. And that makes me very happy.
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