St. George 1/2 Marathon

Although I've done a lot of running in the past it has never been consistent. As a student in high school I was on the cross country team but I put no extra effort into it and I'd almost always place last. ANYone could be on the team if they wanted so it was nothing special.

Other times I've ran: In college I ran off and on. In 2001 I trained for the St. George marathon, ran two 20 milers and a month before the race I injured my knee. Rather than injure my knee permanent I chose to not run the race. In the fall of 2006 I trained for a half marathon to run with my brother, Eric, and his wife, Lisa, in Boise. Three weeks before the race I learned I was pregnant. Probably could've ran the race but after thousands of dollars spent to get pregnant I didn't want to risk it. Since then I've either been pregnant, had a new baby, or not willing to bother trying to run. Until now.

Yesterday I ran my first half marathon! Some friends were planning to run this race and all of them have had a baby since I did last January. If they could do it so could I!! And I talked my sister, Marylynn, into doing it too.

The course was beautiful, mostly downhill, and well organized. It is a popular race with over 2000 participants. But the weather was horrible. Rain and snow throughout the night before the race and COLD and wind the day of. But thankfully the sky was clear during the race with no rain or snow. Just cold. Very cold.

I owe a big thank you to Steve for staying at home in Las Vegas to watch the boys while I took a short trip to St. George. We decided that would be easier than dragging them all there, staying in a hotel, and dealing with the bitter cold weather. And it felt great to have a little time to myself.

If you want to know what sore is, run a half marathon! It hurts to walk down stairs, sit down, stand up, walk, to move. But it's all worth it. And I'm now looking into running another half marathon this January in St. George.

Way way behind

It will be impossible to catch up but the only thing I can do is start from here. The only excuse I have is being lazy. And tired. And busy.

So here are a few pictures and comments. My goal is to add a post once a week. We'll see how I do.

Hard to believe Tyler is 9 months! He is THE happiest, easiest baby! Perhaps I'm just saying that because he doesn't have a twin. He adores his brothers- all they have to do is walk in the room and he smiles and laughs and hysterically.

Andrew and Aaron started preschool in mid-September. They love it! And so do I. :) They love taking a backpack like big kids. When they return home they have a lot to tell me about but are worn out.

One day while Steve was weeding and doing yard work in the backyard Andrew decided to be a dragon and help out. He insisted on wearing the knee pads along with the accessories of a weeder.

This is a NEVER. For a couple of reasons. It is VERY rare that Aaron will fall asleep cuddled to a stuffed animal. Even more rare that he takes a nap. That particular day I was hoping they'd both fall asleep while Tyler was napping. Two out of three isn't so bad. Andrew, who needs sleep most, was the one awake.

I love this picture! This is a typical scene at our house. The twins love tearing up the cushions on the couches and making boats, mountains, submarines, forts, you name it. But they're pretty good about being gentle when Tyler is close by.

Fireman Training

A couple of weeks ago we took the boys to a nearby fire station to talk to some firemen a close up look at a fire truck. Aaron and Andrew still talk about that day.

The firemen took up to the garage where a fire truck was parked and began to show them some of the hoses, helmets, and packs. He was a nice guy but had a challenge dumbing it down to a 3 yrs old level. Aaron was just as interested in the drinking fountain a few steps away and Andrew took a look at everything except.

We weren't there very long before a call came into the station and the visit was cut short. Aaron and Andrew were excited to watch them hurry into the fire engine, drive away, and start the siren. It probably won't be our last visit.

Band-Aid of Honor

We have a new missionary in the family! Today Andrew found my old name tag I wore when I used to be an ordinance worker at the temple and he decided it was his missionary name tag. He packed for his mission in a matter of minutes- his backpack with his lunch box inside, a Book of Mormon, and a CTR ring (on his thumb). He was off to preach the gospel and change the world!

I LOVE those cheeks!

Whenever we take pictures of Andrew he always has bumps, scratches, bruises, or Band-Aids SOMEwhere on himself. He be a clutz and is always running into something, falling, or tripping. He must get it from me because my legs are full of bruises and scratches- all the time! Of course I have a blind on 25% of my peripheral vision- for reals. Anyway, whenever there's even the SMALLest little scratch he is begging for a band-aid. But his one was a true cut! He's fallen on something that cut his forehead and caused it to bleed. You can see how upset he was afterwards!

Lake Tahoe-Day 5

Each morning while we were at Lake Tahoe we spent with one of us at the condo while Tyler took a nap. We'd take turns going on bike rides, or running, or going for a walk with the boys. Of course, we also took our time getting moving in the morning. After all, we were on vacation! In the afternoon we went somewhere as a family. On Day 5 (Tuesday) I went running and upon returning to the condo took Aaron and Andrew for a bike ride. These boys have become much heavier since the last time I pulled them in the trailer on my bike!

The following two pictures were actually taken the previous day when I took the boys for a walk to the lake in the morning while Steve stayed at home with Tyler. Aaron and Andrew could've thrown rocks in the water ALL day!

In the afternoon we went to Tahoe City and had lunch at a pizza place with a great view of the lake. Following lunch we put Tyler in a carrier on my back while Steve pushed the boys in our sit and stand stroller. We then walked down main street and went in a couple of shops, crossed over Fanny Bridge and walked to an area on the other side of the dam. Tyler slept most of the time on my back. We made it dark for him and out of the sun. (Fanny Bridge is what I've always known it. It's a bridge that crosses over the Truckee River that flows from the lake with a view of the dam. All you see are behinds as people stand there and view the river/dam/lake.)

Throwing rocks from the shore with a view of Tahoe City

on the left background

Tyler peeking out from under the blanket.

Lake Tahoe- Day 4

Just a part of Eagle Falls

On a bridge that crosses over the falls

Monday, July 18, 2011

Since Tyler's best naps are usually in the morning one of us would always stay at the condo so he could nap and in the afternoon we went as a family to do something. So on Monday morning I went with Aaron and Andrew on a walk to the lake where the mansion is. We walked around a little and then, of course, we had to find lots of rocks to throw. They could've done that all day, every day we were there!

Late in the afternoon we all went on a hike to Eagle Falls which flow into Emerald Bay. It is a short hike to the falls but can be made longer by going on the way to Eagle Lake, which is beautiful. We just went to Eagle Falls which was plenty long for Aaron and Andrew. We used our hiking backpack to put Tyler in. We snuggled him tight, shaded his head, made it dark for him, and he could still breathe, of course. Tyler slept on the hike almost the entire way!

Stopping for a quick snack

Walking sticks we found along the way.

They became very attached to them but lost them a day or two later.

Hiking down from the falls

Lake Tahoe- Day 3

July 17, 2011

This day was pretty much a relaxing day as well. Aaron came down with a cold the day before and was nice enough to pass it on to Tyler today. For that reason we only stayed for the 1st hour of church. On our way back to the condo from church we stopped at the bike shop in Tahoe City to see if Steve's bike (that he took it to the day before to get fixed) was finished. All that was needed was a new wheel and some adjustments! Phew! We lucked out big time!

Lake Tahoe- Days 2

"Smiler Tyler" and me

Saturday, July 16

We pretty much hung around the condo and relaxed. Later in the day we went for a walk to the lake ("the mansion" as we always call it because there's a State Park with an early 1900's big mansion at the top of a hill with a dock just below it at the lake). The walk down there is on a wooded trail about 1.5 miles from the condo. Steve had devised a fishing pole using materials around the condo and attaching pieces of bacon to the end. He used it to fish for crawdads while sitting on the dock with Aaron and Andrew. I stood on the shore with Tyler and fed him while watching them. It made me nervous as I watched the twins moving around on the edge of the dock because it looked like any minute one of them was going to fall in the water! Thank goodness they didn't but the fishing experiences didn't last long for that very reason. They seemed to be more interested in throwing rocks in the water so Steve brought them ashore and that's what they did for probably an hour!

Fishing for Crawdads- you can see Steve's legs

hanging off the higher part of the dock

Lake Tahoe- Days 1

(Oops! Posted Day 2 first, then Day 1. Oh well!)

Monitor Pass- viewing Antelope Valley down below

Every year we hope to make a trip to Lake Tahoe. Since I was a young girl I have been visiting there about once a year or every other. It is a place I will never get tired of because there is an endless amount of activities there any time of the year, it is gorgeous and the weather is great (especially in July and August). Not to mention the family condo we can stay in that's in a great area.

Our trip there was from July 15-22. Even though both Aaron and Tyler-and Steve too- were sick we managed to do several fun things. And relax, of course! With 3-year old twins and a baby we are a bit limited on the activities we could do but we made it fun for them. And we had a great time too!

Friday, July 15

The trip from Las Vegas to Tahoma, CA (on the west side of the Lake) is NOT a short trip! According to mapquest the drive is about 9.5 hours. With a young family that requires more and longer stops the realistic drive is about 11-12 hrs. The trip there took us 12 hrs with arrival time being 9:30. Thank goodness for the DVD play in our car! The boys watched a lot of TV in the car. About 2 hrs after getting on the road I happened to be turned around helping the boys when I saw one of our bikes fly off, hit the road, and bounce off the side into the desert. I yelled, "We lost a bike!!" Thank goodness it was in the middle of nowhere and now other cars were around. We turned around and found the bike and were able to reattach it on the car w/o any further excitement. We assumed the bike was a goner but were fortunate enough to learn a couple of days later that it only cost $90 to repair. If I hadn't happened to be turned around we wouldn't lost the bike for good. Other than that we had a smooth ride. We arrived tired and worn out and same with the boys. They are not good car sleepers (all 3) so it was only the last hour or two that they got any rest.

There are several options for routes from Las Vegas to Tahoe- most of them mostly through the desert in the middle of nowhere! But there are some pretty areas, cute towns, and great views. This was one of my favorite views about 3 hrs before reaching Lake Tahoe. Walker, CA is the largest town in the valley below.

We Love Our Daddy

Even though Father's Day was a few days ago I thought it would be fun to still do this survey. A friend of mine did this with her 3-year-old. I loved his answers so much that I was interested to know how Aaron and Andrew would respond to questions about their daddy.

Survey about Daddy

by Andrew (age 3)

1. What is something dad always says to you?

I love you

2. What makes dad happy?

(Said nothing, just made a happy face.)

3. What makes dad sad?

(Said nothing; just made a sad face.)

4. How does your dad make you laugh?

When I lay on his tummy.

5. How old is your daddy?

Uhhh...he's old.

6. How tall is your dad?

Big! (And he threw his arms straight up in this air.)

7. What is his favorite thing to do?

Climb up a ladder and fix.

8. What does your dad do when you are not home?

Go to work.

9. What is your dad really good at?

Pulling weeds.

10. What is your dad not good at?

No. Happy.

11. What does your dad do at work?

Grow hairs on his chin.

12. What is your dad's favorite food?

Sloppy joes.

13. What makes you proud of your dad?

Do Family Home Evening

14. What do you and daddy do together?

Umm....stay home.

15. What does daddy like to do in the backyard?

16. What is Daddy's favorite color?

Blue. No, red.

Survey about Daddy

by Aaron (age 3)

1. What is something dad always says to you?

Happy Father's Day

2. What makes dad happy?

When he comes home.

3. What makes dad sad?

That. (while making a sad face)

4. How does your dad do to make you laugh?

Happy. (My answer: tickle him)

5. How old is your daddy?

Three. (scrunched his forehead as if confused)

6. How tall is your dad?

Bigger. (while pointing to the top of his head)

7. What is his favorite thing to do?

Happy Father's Day

8. What does your dad do when you are not home?

Work

9. What is your dad really good at?

At the store

10. What is your dad not good at?

Tools (should've been the answer for the previous question)

11. What does your dad do at work?

Stuff. Buy something.

12. What is your dad's favorite food?

Ham

13. What makes you proud of your dad?

Hmmm ...Happy Father's Day!

14. What do you and daddy do together?

Do a game.

What is daddy's favorite color?

orange

15. What does daddy like to do in the backyard?

Pull weeds

I love these boys!

From other moms and relative of twins (boys especially) Aaron and Andrew are typical 3-year-old twins. Best of friends yet worst of enemies at the same time. Fortunately they get along most times. It makes the rough time worth it. Especially moments like this-

Andrew thinks Aaron is hilarious- except the times

when he gets hit, pushed, and bit by Aaron

Smiler Tyler is the name we often call our sweet little guy. He is ALWAYS happy!! This morning when he awoke at 4:15a.m. all he wanted to do was smile and laugh in my arms rather than eat. All I wanted was to go back to bed! Even so, I am in love with this adorable, little man!! I love his smiles, his laughs, his coos, the joy he brings me every day. I can't believe he is over 4 months old. He is growing way too fast. Is there any way to slow things down??

Tyler sitting in his Bumbo seat for the first time. As usual he is all smiles. Notice the cute behind in the background. :) Most of the time the twins are shorts/pants-free around the house. It's much easier- for them and me- when they need to go to the bathroom to only have to drop their undies.

Smiler Tyler

Finally, Aaron and Andrew learn to ride tricycles!! Santa Claus bought the bikes for them when they were about 18 months. Ever since then they have not been interested or were unable to ride them. Recently, Andrew has been practicing and trying. About a week ago he finally got the hang of it! Yeah Andrew! When Aaron saw that Andrew could ride it he didn't want to be outdone. So he got on his and away he went!

Andrew

Aaron

3 out of 4

Tyler's actually 4 out of 4. The title is about something else.

While we were excited to learn we were pregnant with Tyler it soon turned to nervousness for the first 16 weeks until we learned whether or not he had hydronephrosis. We were greatly relieved to learned he was clean! Phew! The first pregnancy we didn't lose, or think we were going to lose, a baby. Even though we had a bumpy spot or two Tyler was born healthy with no complications. Or so we thought.

Five weeks ago I took Andrew and Tyler to Red Rock Radiology so both could have an ultrasound on their kidneys- Andrew for a routine follow-up and Tyler so the urologist could take a look at his kidneys now that he was out of the womb. Of course I wasn't worried because if there was a problem it would have been detected in one of the numerous ultrasounds I had during pregnancy. The reason I had so many is because of being high risk; the first thing that was always checked was the kidneys and the amniotic fluid and it was always normal.

When I arrived at the doctor's office the following week I had no worries about learning the results of either test until the nurse made a comment about Tyler not receiving an "A+" on his test. "What? Tyler????" I said. She is a very happy, friendly, and fun nurse so I wasn't sure if she was just joking or being serious. When she realized what she'd said she quickly said, "Oh, you know" and moved on to other things. "Oh, well. Whatever. I'll find out soon enough," I thought.

After I learned that Andrew's right ureter is still constricted and will need further work (no surprise) she moved on to Tyler. She said his left kidney is normal but the right is interesting. Rather than just one 'drain' he has two. Each one has a ureter that begins toward the bladder but the top one joins the bottom ureter so it looks like a Y. The top drain is incomplete and has some backup into the kidney. Since then he has been on an antibiotic to ensure that no infection forms.

This morning I took Tyler to the hospital for a MAG3 test. I couldn't remember the directions but I was pretty sure from 3 years ago when Andrew had the same test that he couldn't eat for 8 hours before. We fed him only 4 hours before the test though since he is on a liquid diet anyway. Once I got there I learned I could've fed him right up until the test. Wish I'd known that- all that crying and me feeling guilty for nothing! First, they tried putting an IV in him but found no good veins so they called down a transport nurse who is highly trained on IV's in pediatrics. She put in the IV on Tyler while I held him. His next tough thing was the catheter. I never enjoy having one put in me but at least I understand what and why it's being done. He was miserable and very mad. He was not happy to be strapped down either. Once his arms and legs were constricted he screamed, cried, and tried kicking and moving his way out. Poor Tyler! He finally cried himself to sleep.

I was much braver this time around then three years ago when Andrew had the same test at about the same age. It's okay for the mom (or dad or both) to be there next to the bed the entire time. When Andrew had his I remember it was difficult for me to see him cry so hard from having an IV in that I was finally excused from the room and told to go to the waiting area down the hall. At first I was afraid a similar thing would happen this time but I managed to keep my emotions stable and was able to be there to comfort Tyler and make it easier. In fact, I even got a picture on my cell phone of him smiling- after having an IV and catheter put in and being strapped down!

Well, after learning that Tyler is not completely free from kidney problems I realized that 3 out of my 4 children have, or had, hydronephrosis. Rachel had it the worst and lived for only a short time. We thought we were going to lose Andrew too but he is a miracle and lives a normal life although he's had surgeries, tests, stints, ultrasounds and isn't done yet. And Tyler now has it but really minor. Aaron managed to skate by somehow and is the lucky one. We've become a little familiar with hydronephrosis and our pediatric urologist, Dr. Close (who is THE best!) has become very familiar with us!

Tyler's growth chart by picture

When the twins were the same age as Tyler I gave my blog almost daily attention. Now it is so poorly neglected it's pathetic. Part of this was probably because I had a new camera that I loved trying out and some of it was because the babies I had were sleeping a lot. Now, well, it's very different. Still new into potty trained twins (that's a post all of it's own!), LOTS of doctor appointments, and twins that are transitioning out of naps. The list could go on and on but the blog is close to the bottom of the long list.

Tyler began smiling about a month ago but now he is smiling, cooing, and has even 'laughed' for me when I tickle him. About 2 weeks ago he began sleeping through the night! Yeah! He sleeps solid for about 10 hours, wakes up to be fed, and then goes back to sleep for about 3 more hours! It has been very nice not to have to wake up in the middle of the night. A lot of pictures have been taken but have yet to be added to the blog. Each month I have taken a picture of him in a onesie with a paper that tells how old he is now. Usually this picture has been (or will be) done on his bouncy chair or the floor. When seen on a hourly/daily basis his growth seems so gradual. By looking at these pictures it reminds me that he is slowly growing.

Newborn- 2 weeks

Two months- forgot the paper. Oops

The Evening of a Lifetime

This last week my ward had a Relief Society activity that celebrated the anniversary of the Relief Society organization. Prior to the evening the book The Hundred Dresses was passed around for everyone to read. The activity entailed a light dinner and a fashion show of dresses from different time periods. Each dress had a story behind it that was shared while the dress was being modeled. It was an enjoyable evening (especially to get away from home and my very busy children!) and was well prepared and organized.

That night was feeding Tyler in the wee hours of the morning- 3:00 am.- I remembered from the middle of nowhere, a dress hanging in the closet downstairs. If only I'd remembered this dress before the evening's activity:

The history behind it:

In 1967 my mother had been dating my dad for about three years. They had a date to the 1967 New Year's Ball. She sewed a long green velvet dress with a matching coat. That night my dad proposed and my mom accepted.

Ever since my mother died I have had this dress and coat hanging in my closet. It wasn't until the middle of the night that I remembered the dressing in my closet and wish I'd remembered it in time to wear it at the activity. Since it's too late for that I'll "model" it here online.

One month old (4 days ago!)

It was a month ago today (now 4 days ago) that Tyler joined our family. He is a good baby who does what all newborns do- eat, sleep, and poop! But I could spend the entire day holding and loving him and doing nothing else. He has been sick with a nasty cold for the last 10 days his brothers were generous enough to share with him. I am so grateful he is healthy in every other way though and so grateful he has joined our family.

We initially thought he would be another redhead but it doesn't appear to be the case. My guess is he'll be anywhere from blonde to light brown. Regardless of the color he is gorgeous! When he was weighed a week ago he was 8 lbs (born at 6 lbs 10 oz) and this week is now 8 lbs 5 oz. so he is gaining weight good.

During the first few baths Tyler let me know he did NOT like them! But now he seems to have learned this will be a regular part of his life. Eventually he will become like his older brothers and complain when it's time to get out of the tub!

Tyler's first bath

A common question I get is: How is Aaron and Andrew adjusting? Some days are better than others but I think as time goes on it'll become easier. During the first week Aaron seemed to show no interest in his new brother. Now he likes to help hold the bottle, come sit by me as I feed Tyler and is a great helper by getting me a diaper and the wipes.

This has been an eventful month to say the least! It is difficult enough to recover from delivery (especially a c-section), adjust to less sleep, caring for older siblings and all with the same amount of hours in a day. To add to that I was back in the hospital 3 weeks later for 2 days- and Tyler was at home. In the early morning hours of February 1, I had two grand mal seizures. Since Steve had to be here with the boys until help arrived I was transferred to the hospital by ambulance. We still don't know the cause of the seizures (and we may never know) but one thing is for sure- I don't feel comfortable driving yet. There could be many causes- my very high blood pressure, lack of sleep, stress, hormones out of whack, or low medication levels. This last week I saw a new neurologist who will be ordering an updated MRI, EEG, and blood work to test my medicine levels. I will be very anxious to know the results. In the meantime, friends and ward members have been wonderful to help pick up the boys, give me rides, bring dinner, or help in any way they can. The week following my return home from the hospital the twins and Steve all got a bad cold who gave it to Tyler. Now that they're all recovering I've now got the nasty bug.

It is fun to watch them change as they continue to grow and learn and I love (for the most part!) each phase so far. But I sure wish they didn't have to change so rapidly the first few months!