Saturday Morning Flying

At our 30 Week appointment this past week, I was determined to find out if I could go flying with Mat. I've wanted to go for so long, but because of our pregnancy and lack of access to planes, it hasn't happened. Until NOW!

Our doctor also just so happens to be a pilot himself! Didn't plan that, but love it!

He gave me the "all clear" to go!

So we went!

30 Weeks 

Taxing out for Take Off

The Babies First Flight!

This will be one for their baby books!  

The Windmills

Ever since I moved to Idaho Falls (the first time) years ago, I've been fascinated by the windmills.

No reason as to why, I just think they are neat!

The Green Belt that runs through Idaho Falls. 

Idaho Falls Temple 

Coming in for our landing.

Baby Bump Update

Baby Bump Update:

 Here's me at 16 Weeks

 

And at 29 Weeks

 Growing, growing, growing!

This past weekend was a little scary for us. Both the girls are sitting sideways currently, they have not moved from this position pretty much the entire pregnancy. It also doesn't look like they will - due to lack of space. I've gotten used to their movements and can distinguish between each twin. Last Wednesday (8/14), I started to notice Baby B (she's the one on top - invading my ribs) started to quiet down. She has been our more active baby and if you push on my stomach, she'll push back. There's time when you could just have a fist bump competition with her - it just cracks me up!

By Thursday, I hadn't felt her move, not even a wiggle. The doctors normally want you to wait 24 hours before jumping the gun. She's also had a quiet day before where she didn't move for over a day, but then started right back in the next morning. I could feel Baby A moving and shaking, just nothing from B. I tried laying down for two hours, tried drinking ice water, orange juice and even Dr. Pepper...no response.

I called the doctor, Friday morning, they sent me in to do a biophysical profile (really an ultrasound that tests four categories) and a non-stress test. We started with the non-stress test...they couldn't find her heartbeat. At this point, I'm trying to be calm, but it just wasn't working. I was so worried, Mat was with me every step of the way, holding my hand, wiping my tears. They decided we'll skip the non-stress test and go right into the ultrasound.

For the four categories, they are checking fetal heart rate, movement, practice breathing and amniotic fluid. For each category they can get 2 points (which is passing). If all four categories are not a 2, then you do a follow up within 24-48 hours.

Baby A was a rock star - passed with 8 out of 8 in no time at all! Baby B was doing great until the practice breathing...they have to be able to do the motion of breathing (even though they aren't technically breathing air, it's the motion they look at) for 30 seconds consistently. Baby B struggled to get the 30 seconds, but after about 45 minutes - she made it! She also gave us a good roll over and wiggle on the ultrasound. So, we were sent home, but told if we don't feel her again in the next 24 hours or get at least 10 kicks from her in a 2 hour window, come back. Baby B gave me two more good kicks from her that night.

Saturday morning, Baby A was doing her morning aerobics and Baby B was quiet again. I waited until late afternoon and again still nothing. I tried laying down and counting the kicks...nothing. I tried ice water, orange juice, Dr. Pepper, watermelon, even chocolate! Nothing. I tried pushing on my stomach...nothing. I called a friend of mine who's a nurse (thank you so much, Ash! You are a lifesaver!) and asked for an opinion since I couldn't get through to my doctor. She told me to go in right away. So Mat and I were on our way to labor and delivery...I can't express to you the fear that I felt. I was so nervous, I couldn't stop my mind from racing or my hands from shaking. Mat was my rock through it all, he was trying to be strong, but he was just as worried as I was.

We got into labor and delivery, got hooked up to check their heart rates...Baby A was holding steady, doing her thing. And then...Baby B's heart rate popped up! What a HUGE sigh of relief! We were in there for a while just being monitored. Baby B's heart rate would spike, but nothing out of the ordinary. The doctor on call, just reassured us that we were doing everything we should (the laying down, ice water, juice, pushing on the stomach, etc.) and to take it easy.

The girls are growing more and more which means they are running out of room, so having a "quiet day" is not out of the norm. But at this stage in the game, we should be feeling each of them at least 10 kicks a day.

Sunday morning, they were both back to their normal selves with having their dance party at 6am. :) We've been smooth sailing ever since. I just put all of my faith in Heavenly Father through this entire journey. I'm so thankful for the inspiration I've received thus far. Now they just have to settle down for at least 8 more weeks!

Idaho Falls to Cleveland & Back

This past week Mat had an opportunity to fly out to Cleveland with one of the guys he went to school with at UVU, Jeff. He was over the moon! In Mat's first year at UVU, he flew to Colorado Springs, CO for a "field trip" in a pressure chamber. Jeff was one of the guys that flew with him. I wasn't as nervous for this flight as much as I was for that one (we had been married less than a year when he went on that field trip). They flew out in one day and flew back the next. It was a quick trip, but in a fun little airplane.

The Cleveland airport is also in such a neat location! You have the skyline right behind the airport!

The plane had lamborghini doors...I'm not sure if that is what they are really called,

but that's what I called them.  

The airplane had leather seats and even had the "new airplane smell".

There really is such a thing!

This airplane really was a few years old, but in great condition! 

Cleveland Airport

The runway is on the left side of the picture, it's right on the water. 

The beautiful Cleveland, Ohio skyline (with the tail of the plane).

Homebound & Baby Update

Mat's back!

He's going to be flight instructing out of Idaho Falls until after the girls come.

The distance and travel were a lot harder than we expected.

With the girls coming, we both didn't feel like Texas was the place he needed to be right now.

We still hope to move back to the great state after the girls come - but TOGETHER.

I'm so excited that he's back!

 

Everything is going really well with the girls! We had our 26 week appointment & ultrasound a week ago. We are still doing great! The girls are growing and are very active still (which I love!).

I'm healthier than ever and everything looks right on track!

We are still shooting for 36 weeks - as the doctor said, it's highly unlikely we'll make it beyond that point, but we can still cross our fingers!

We go back in three weeks for another check up and ultrasound.

Idaho Baby Shower

Due to the passing of Mat's Grandpa Haderlie, we postponed the baby shower for a month. We also did a joint shower with me and my sister in law, Mary Kae, who's expecting a baby boy at the end of October. It was so much fun to visit with family and friends! Some who we don't get to see that often due to the distance between us, so it was an extra special treat!

 

We had LOTS of pie (seriously, I went through a pie craving stage with these girls, luckily it has passed)! I made the Texas Sheet Cake, plus a blueberry pie AND a cherry-apple pie (my father in law's favorite, so if there were leftovers, I knew he wouldn't mind). We also had the traditional little smokies, chips and to have a little healthier option, yogurt parfaits.

 

I was so busy chatting with everyone through the shower, I didn't take a single picture. Oops! I'm so grateful for all the wonderful baby supplies we received - I feel slightly more prepared now.

I'm just so excited to meet these little girls!

 

Thank you so much to all who came - we love you! 

Baking Adventures

Since moving, I haven't really done much cooking or baking...for those of you who know me, this is very unlike me. We have the baby shower coming up, so I thought I'd give a few things a go. Thank you Pinterst for the inspiration.

First up, was the Texas Sheet Pie.

Pinterst Version can be found here. (It won't let me upload the picture.)

 

My Version:

It tasted yummy, but it might not look the best. :) I cheated and used Pillsbury pie crusts...I would suggest making the crust. The refrigerated crust just didn't hold up as well as I thought, but again, still yummy! (Especially when you have a preggo craving pie!)

Second Adventure, the Flag Cake:

The baby shower colors were red, white & blue. Mom Haderlie found this recipe and thought it would be perfect for the baby shower! However, we needed to test it out first...

The Pinterst Version can be found here. (Again, it won't let me up load the picture.)

Now our version....

Remember, we were just testing the recipe - so it's a little crooked.

I repeat, just a tester! :)

We also ran out of red food coloring in the process - notice the pink layers.

We also recommend getting the color paste from the bakery departments in any craft store.

They will give a bolder color all the while using less than normal food coloring.

Needless to say, we were glad we tested it out, but it didn't make the grade for the baby shower.

We stuck to the pie.

Green Thumb in Training

I've decided to be on the hunt for new hobbies this past summer. Moving to Idaho and not being able to work (due to the pregnancy), I've been like a fish out of water. Most of my crafty stuff is still in storage, so...I've given gardening a go.

Keep in mind, I don't own any house plants mainly due to never being able to keep them alive...so this was going to be an interesting adventure. I sincerely owe so much of the success to my mother in law, I honestly don't think we would have had any food from all of our labor without her!

The only thing I'm really missing is a picture of the garden...but who hasn't seen a garden...right? :) There is nothing better than going out to your garden and picking fresh produce for breakfast, lunch or dinner...this has become a daily habit for us. Once the season changes and our garden will be retired, it will be such a struggle to go back to store bought produce.

Anyway, here's some of our loot!

Carrots, onions, corn - oh my!

Red & BLUE potatoes!

The blue potatoes are actually purple inside.

They taste like a yukon gold to me...I just love the color!

Mat made me breakfast burritos one morning...

With fresh onion, tomatoes and green pepper from our garden.

It was delish!