Difference

I always thought that the fun of having twins, was the likeness of them. I wanted them to look the same, to dress the same, you know, have 2 of the same. The older these two get, the more I marvel at the differences.
To start with, he is a whole lb bigger. He is vocal and was the first to smile. He is harder to soothe, louder when mad, and sleeps less. He will talk to you to get you to look at him and have a conversation with you if you will give him the time. He was the first to hold his head up, and coo. He's my little man.
She is little. She's patient and quiet. Her cry is soft, and less frequent. She is my good sleeper. she'll take a binky if you need to hold off feeding for a few minutes, or if you want her to sleep for a little longer, it will put her back to sleep. She is about 2 weeks behind him developmentally. She will look into your eyes, to talk to you. I adore this little girl. If she is tired, I can just pick her up and hug her, and she will fall asleep.
They both ended up having really high jaundice levels. But, they had 2 different kinds of jaundice. really, they are 2 opposite kids. What they do have in common, is that they are mild, easy kids. I am so grateful for that.

The Things We Do For Our Kids

We decided since summer break was almost over for most of our kids (it was over for 4 of 8 she started on Tuesday) we would take our yearly vacation. We decided to take them on a camping trip and stay sort of close to home. We were going to go from the 21st of July to the 25th.
We hurried and found the perfect camper trailer. We had talked about it for years, and finally decided this year was the year. I was not excited about taking 2 new babies on a tent camping trip. It was a good decision. It was so much easier to put them to bed, in a bed. And it sleeps all of us, while they are little. And the older kids have their own tents, which they later used.
We got out of the house on the 22nd at about 7. The camper wasnt as easy to find as we had hoped. Registration took longer than expected, and we kind of knew the family that sold us the camper (they moved out of our ward, the same month we moved in, and knew all of our friends. And he is the cousin of the bishop that married us) so we ended up talking to them for hrs. Delaying the preparation process.
We went out to South Willow, set up camp, and went to bed. 6 of 8 screamed for an hr and About 1 in the morning, we woke up to 3 of 8 puking. When we woke up in the morning, none of could stand to even stand next to the poor kid, and there were no showers and he felt miserable. So we decided to come home. We slept in Sunday morning, missed church, so we decided to take the already packed and newly cleaned traier back up and finish our vacation. This time we went to Smith Moorehouse reseviour. It was beautiful there. We just finished dinner when 4 of 8 started crying about wanting to go home. Very unlike her. Then she threw up. We hemmed and hawed about coming home, then decided we better be at home if she was going to be sick. After we broke camp, 5 of 8 started puking. SO glad we packed up. It was getting dark by this time. We got home, after getting sick in the car a few times, 5 of 8 getting it in the bucket, 4 of 8.... not. Got the car cleaned laundry started, and kids in bed.
Monday Trent took all but me, the babies, and 4 of 8, (who started school the next day) to GMA's annual 24th of July party. She lives right by Liberty Park, so she has front row seats for the fireworks.
We planned on going back up to finish camping if the kids were done getting sick, on Friday. Luckily the bug only lasted 18-24 hrs. SO it made its way through the house in a few days. We packed up on Thursday, picked 4 of 8 up from school early and went back up to Smith and Moorehouse. But, it was full, so we went to the otherside and drove Mirror Lake HWY until we found a camp spot. I will just say right now. 6 of 8 is a crappy camper, and 4 of 8 is miserable to sleep next to. 6 of 8, will not go to sleep. then she is grumpy and screams the next day. We had to get in the car and drive to finally get her to take a nap, because we could no longer stand the kid. 4 of 8 sleeps indian style. So you get her all tucked in, then she moves into a sitting Indian style hunched over position, uncovering everyone in her way. Then she gets cold. Then she throws herself around. If you have ever slept in a pop up, you know that everytime anyone moved, everyone feels it. Not too bad, but if you are already awake with a baby, it's annoying. We were up less with 2 babies, than with 4 and 6 of 8. So between all of this. Trent and I didn't sleep well.
Gma and Gmpa came up on Friday morning and GMA stayed with me at the camp with the little kids and GMPA and trent took the older kids fishing. (guess what we are having for dinner tonight) We did wake up this morning with moose in our camp. It was fun, until they came toward us. They are big, and a little scary. And as we were packing up, we ran into the Loertchers.
It was kind of funny because I asked a mom waking down the road if her daughters were twins, and noticed she was wearing a Buddy Walk shirt, too. Apparently her sister is the chapter president for Davis county. I have been out of the UDSF for so long I didn't even know they had a new president. But it's kind of a small world.
We are now home showered and ready for Sunday.

A Blessing. Or 2, Or 3.

My sister got married last weekend. And since that event brought an entire family into town, we decided to bless the babies. And, since both my then married sisters had babies the month before, my one sister decided to bless her boy at the same time. Pretty convenient wouldn't you say. First, I just have to say, my sister's wedding was beautiful. I don't care about the food, or reception or all the lead up. The Temple ceremony was an awesome experience. There really is nothing better than having all your sisters in the temple with you. And when you walk in and see them, you are overwhelmed with the knowledge that this is His plan. You get that glimpse of what is to come. being greeted by your family, even extended, all happy you are there.
Then we blessed the babies on Sunday. This is us. Not even all of us. Some headed home earlier that morning. Trent gave the babies a beautiful blessing. He always does. Acknowledging their individual personalities. (40 kids in there)

And for some reason. I'm not sure what I was thinking. I ended up with red punch at the luncheon. I was stain sticking every item my kids wore that day. We fit 63+ people in our house. Well not IN, luckily it was a nice day, and early in the morning, so we overflowed to the outside.
I am so grateful for family, and friends that helped and participated that weekend. I love the great pictures my brother in law took, so I could re-live that day. It was one of the greatest moments of my life.

What Time is it?

It's POTTY time.
UGH. My least favorite part of parenting. It's time to get this done. 6 of 8 was showing all the signs of being ready. 3 months ago. Unfortunately I was 7, 8 months pregnant. SO After talking about it for months, we started on Monday. SHe isn't doing so well. She did better at 20 months than she is now. Now, she's way more stubborn. Today, she's decided to hold it, until she gets her nap time diaper. (even though she hasn't peed at night or during nap time in 6 months) I knew it was coming. I had her pumped full of liquid. But she would, not, pee. Until I put a diaper on her. So. I know she has serious bladder control. And serious will power. How do I convince the kid to pee on the potty. She was doing it all the time before. How do I get that back.
5 of 8 ruined me. She potty trained herself at 22 months.

It's Your Birthday

And yours
And yours
And mine, and if I could add, my sister's brother's and mom's. Well, not today, but all with in 2 weeks. The kids start talking birthday in April. Which got 5 of 8 all excited. Everyday she would ask "It's my birthday next?" And I would have to tell her, no, we will have babies first. She'd say, mine's after that? And I would say, no then its 2 of 8's. Then. mine next? And I would say, no then 1 of 8. Mine next? no, then 4 of 8. Mine next? No, then me. Mine next? No, then 6 of 8. Mine next? No, then daddy's. Mine next? YES!. Then 3 of 8. We have a few less now than when she started asking in April.
Yesterday was 2 of 8. Thursday is 1 of 8, and Friday is 4 of 8. We will have 4 of 8's party tonight, because my sister is getting married in the Oqquirah temple on Friday. And for their birthday I let them pick out their favorite meal and desert. Yesterday was breakfast burritos and chocolate cake, tonight chicken fingers, fries and pasta, tomorrow beef strognaff and pecan pie. On top of all that, I have to get the house ready for the babies blessings, and the luncheon after. Thursday is half shot, because we have 7 of 8's (hopefully laast) biliruben check. Friday is completely shot, because this wedding will take all day, and Saturday, I will have to squeeze in the last of the prep. Like all the salalds and meat I'm making for the, Best Bites french dip. I'm hoping I can get my house put together. It is going to have to be done last, because with 8 kids... Anything done, will be undone. I did the kids bedrooms yesterday, and uncluttered the upstairs today. I will wait to do floors until Saturday. Trent is in charge of outside. There were a few remodeling projects I wanted done before this, but I have to not think about it. It is what it is. Everyone has seen our 'project' before. So, maybe I'll survive and check in Tuesday. Oh, maybe not, I forgot I am going to let the kids have a birthday party this year, on Tuesday.

1 Month

My babies are one month today. And yes, like I always say, It feels like I was pregnant last week.
All 5 of my girls. I don't feel like I have a lot of girls, until I say 5 girls.
The whole Famn Damily
And, 2 of my boys. Yes he's still a bit yellow. His jaundice level is still high. But it is finally starting to go down.
Baby boy, 7.7 lbs
Baby girl 7 even.

Squidward

Trent thinks 7 of 8 looks like handsome squidward.