Our Little Valentines

Firsts of everything are so fun when you have a new baby. When you have 2 it's really fun. And when you have a cousin the same age it's even more fun. Little matching outfits are so addicting. Yesterday was their 1st Valentine's Day. The twins made daddy a special valentine with their handprints and decorated the bathroom for him. They stayed with auntie Lolo and Hailey while we went to dinner and they had a great time.

Go Sting!

Since high school Rich has always talked about playing football again. His family has been telling me ever since I met him how good he was back in the day, so it has sparked some curiosity. After all these years he's finally back on the field. He plays for a semi-pro team "The Sting". Not to brag but my man has still got it. He plays defensive tackle and right guard. I'm really glad he decided to play this year. His games are every Saturday and it gives us both something fun to do. Chelsea and I go to all the games decked out in our sting jerseys and cheer for our men. Last weekend was an awesome game in Sedona. They beat the Northern Arizona Coyotes 20-0.

Family Pictures

Rich's cousin Justin came home from his mission last 2 weeks ago from the Marshalese Islands. He spoke in church on Sunday and then after we went to the temple to take pictures. There was a huge group of us. Relatives came from Utah and California to welcome Justin home.

The race is on!

My family is starting our biggest loser competition! We all weighed in tonight and we'll weigh in every 2 weeks and the person who loses the most percentage of weight after 8 weeks wins the money $180. I'm excited about this, not because I can't eat the stuff I like, but for other reasons. The twins are now 6 months old and it's about time I get started. I keep coming up with excuses and saying I'll start diet and exercise next week, but now is the time! I'm hoping this will keep me motivated. Who doesn't want to be a little thinner and have a little extra cash? I know this is a lame post, but I figure it will make me accountable to a few more people. Wish me luck...

Twins' health update.

I took Kaimen to the eye doctor today for his followup. We have been going back there every few weeks since Kaimen has been home. Because of being on so much oxygen since the day he was born, is caused some problems for his eyes. The doctor was concerned with Kaimen boy because he had quite a bit of bleeding behind his eyes, which if left untouched can cause major vision problems even blindness. Luckily we went today to find out that his left eye looks like it has improved and he doesn't have to be seen for 6 more months and probably won't need surgery. This was great news for me to hear and one less doctor we have to see on a regular basis. I'm also happy to announce that Danica is completly off of her oxygen and only sleeps with her apnea monitor on at night. Kaimen is off his oxygen during the day. This is awesome for many reason, but the thing I really appreciate is wire free babies when we take them places. It makes outings a lot more pleasant.

The twins had their 6 month check up last week. Danica is weighing in at 15 lbs 3 ounces and Kaimen at 14 lbs 8 ounces. They told us to cut back with Danica, she's getting a little too porky. We're trying but that girl loves her food! Kaimen has appointments with 3 different specialists next week...the kidney specialist, the nueroligist, and the GI specialist. Hopefully they'll be able to help us resolve the issues he's having. As of now his kidney stones are still there and he is still throwing up a few times a day.

Lately all the appointments have been getting to be a pain. But when I took Kaimen to the doctor today, I really enjoyed the time that we had to spend together. I figure with having twins and not being able to spend as much one on one time as I would like to with my babes, this is my time. While me and Kaimen waited for the doctor today, we sang and talked and snuggled.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! WARNING: Picture Overload!!

Wow 2009! I can't believe it! The twins are now almost 6 months old. So much has happened this last year, a lot of trials and a lot of blessings. Lat night Rich and I were looking at videos of the twins when they were in the NICU and only 2 weeks old and pretty sick. It made us both cry to watch them and remember those times. I like to remember those times because I remember they really are miracles, but I look forward to this year in the next few months to be able to take my healthy babies out in public and watch them grow. I love them more and more every day... look and these pics and you'll understand why.
New Year's Eve was really fun. We took them down to the church building for the annual New Year's Eve dance and party that Rich's family puts on. They stayed in the relief society room and everyone took turns watching them, so we could dance and socialize. Cousin Tytan joined them and they had there own little party.

Me and my cousin Siala, the dancing superstar.

The twins first Christmas was one to remember. We spent a lot of time with family and we were all extremely spoiled this year. The kids got more presents than any child should receive. Thank you to everyone for being so generous to our family this year and making this a special Christmas for us. We did a lot of running around back and forth to both sides of the family. It's a lot of work to haul those kids around, but worth every minute.

Daddy and his 2 little Christmas presents.

My niece Olivia got this cheer leading outfit and was showing us her moves.

Me and Princess Bailey, with her doll she called sleeping "booty".

Aunt Tracy was nice enough to buy all of the kids on my side of the family matching Christmas outfits this year, so we did some family pictures. I only have the ones from my camera, but they all looked so precious.

Kaimen was not happy about this whole situation.

It's very obvious where Kaimen gets his good looks from!

Dani stares more than smiles right now.

The last month or so has been pretty interesting at our house. They've been especially fun because the twins are getting older and starting to smile and talk to us. But they also have been especially frustrating because of the constant trips to the doctors' offices and seeing all the stuff Kaimen has been going through. About a month ago, we spent a few days in the hospital with him. We found out he has kidney stones and some pretty bad ones. As a mom this seemed pretty serious to me, but the doctors really haven't seemed to think so. I've been trying to get him into the kidney specialist ever since we left the hospital, but I feel like I have been going in circles. Last week we were able to get into a pediatric urologist who told us they will just watch him, which means extra appointments. I obviously wouldn't change any of this for the world, but it will be a happy day when all of the appointments and extra stuff is over. I feel really blessed that neither one of them have had any major issues and are developing well. Kaimen's been such a great sport with everything. Even though he has his little naughty times, he is still a happy little boy and I can't get enough of his squishy little face.

Danica is our little angel. The only time I ever hear a peep from her is when she is hungry or tired. But when we feed her or put her to sleep everything is better. She is so patient, since Kaimen has pretty much been needing all the attention the last little while. I've been by myself more often now with the twins, which can be a lot of work. Last week I had just finished feeding Kaimen, put him down and started feeding Dani. 5 minutes later Kaimen was screaming at the top of his lungs. I had no choice but to put Dani down. She just sat there and waited patiently until brother was done with his fit and I could pick her up.

It's amazing to me how total opposites my babies are, but I love them both the same for the special spirit they bring to our family.

Kaimen watching daddy talk to him.

This smile melts my heart.

Deep in thought.