30 Days of Gratitude: 18. My Body

I've decided I have a "twin mom body."

My legs are weaksauce from months of limited exercise, a few weeks of modified bedrest, and more months of just trying to survive twins so obviously no time in the gym.

My belly is still a little squishy from being stretched so far and has a smiley face scar from delivering two healthy babies.

My arms are ripped from carrying two carseats full of chubby babies with rolls anywhere I need to be by myself.

My mind is scattered trying to keep up with times of last feeds, husband's schedule, work life, paying bills, planning meals, and whatever other things pop up.

And my hair is falling out, very well may be covered in puke, or standing on end. 

But I have everything to be grateful for with this body of mine. 

My legs carry me everywhere I need to be as I chase down my two crawling babies.

My belly carried TWO babies for 36 weeks and that smiley face scar is by far my favorite.

My arms are full of baby and honestly feel empty and lonely when I go anywhere by myself.

My mind keeps plugging along and somehow I'm able to keep two children alive as well as keep our house functioning.

And nice hair is a thing of the past, and that is AOK with me. I would much rather be bald and called mom than have the Rapunzel locks I dreamed of as a child.

I'm just still in awe that a body can transform so dramatically.

from this

to this

In a quick 9 months.

And somehow your body recovers from that trauma. Mine may not ever look like it did before but that's ok. I am one happy mama.

30 Days of Gratitude: 17. Music

I'm grateful for music.

I love filling our home with music, especially on Sundays. 

(Usually thanks to pandora or random cds I have laying around)

And you wouldn't know it by listening to me now (Sorry Allyson) but I used to be a decent pianist. 

I can still limp along, but I've had better days... or perhaps years.

But anyway, I want our sons to grow up in a home filled with music.

Jesse's family is extremely musical and my family isn't too shabby so I hope they got every musical gene they could find. 

We sing to them all day (which with my voice may not help the musical cause, but oh well) and I try to play the piano for them sometimes too. They just seem to thrive with music. 

I remember going to a Piano Guys concert while I was pregnant and the boys were dancing around like crazy during the entire concert.
I'm convinced they were born loving music and you better believe I'm going to be one of those annoying moms who won't let my kids quit piano or any other instrument they want to play.

They'll thank me later, or so they say.

And we're lucky right now because my dad is here practicing duets with the kiddos!

We were serenaded with a lovely murder mystery tune last night for dinner.

{B}     {Gpa D.}     {I} 

30 Days of Gratitude: 16. Scriptures

Earlier this year, our church congregation was challenged to read the Book of Mormon from start to finish within the year. We believe the Book of Mormon is another testimony of Jesus Christ and compliments the Bible. It is one of the defining features of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and we believe you will grow closer to God through reading it and praying about it.

I had pushed the thought of reading the whole Book of Mormon again to the back of my mind since I found out about it during the summer (or maybe I heard about it before but it was not computing in my pregnant brain?!) when we finally started going back to church after having the babies. I had thought it would be nice to read it again but that I would just try to read it a little more often and if I finished then great and if not, no big deal. I started reading more while I was pumping or nursing, while the babies were sleeping, or any other few minutes I had to spare. It was slow work but I was reading more than I used to so I figured it was a good thing.

Well then it dawned on me that I could listen to them throughout the day and go through it much quicker. I don't know why it hadn't occurred to me earlier, but it was wonderful. I found myself noticing things I hadn't noticed before, and understanding differently now that I have crossed the threshold into parenthood, and my days were less stressful and enjoyable. 

While I'm still not quite done, I think I'll be able to finish by the end of the year which I am excited about. It makes me be a better mother, understand gospel principles better, gives me guidance, reminds me that God listens to me and answers prayers, and offers an eternal perspective so I can have more patience and understanding.

If you would like a copy or have any questions regarding the Book of Mormon or about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, feel free to ask!

30 Days of Gratitude: 15. Spray N Wash

Or apparently Zout N Out? 

Seriously I go through stain removing spray like it's going out of style, and oh boy am I thankful for it.

Especially now that the boys are on solid foods. 

Between bibs for meals, the fact that they still puke everywhere so their clothes are multi-colored, and the occasional blow-out, we are spraying A LOT of things at our house.

I'm starting to think I should be giving new moms some Spray N Wash as a baby gift.

Giggles and High Fives

Ian is rather ticklish and loves his daddy.

And has a cool new trick!

So fun!

30 Days of Gratitude: 14. Mom

With the world in its current state there is a dearth of topics on which everyone can agree. Politics, religion, technology, race, education, etc. are touchy subjects best left to the pundits and pontificators. Today I'd like to discuss a subject I think will be met with not only a lack of dissent, but a general shout of acclamation and agreement.

Moms are awesome.

I've had several moms influence my life over the years. Friends' moms, neighborhood moms, several ladies in Mexico who acted as moms while I was on my mission... There are moms everywhere. Heck, I'm even married to one and I gotta say, moms really are awesome. One woman, though, has been my mom longer and more thoroughly than anyone else in my life, and her name is Linda Rich.

She's amazing, and I'm so grateful for her. She's been a constant source of love, praise, and support throughout my life, and (unfortunately for Danielle) I got a lot of my sense of humor from her. Not only is she a great mom, but she's done amazing things. In addition to raising three great children and then one last amazing child, she has also been a dance teacher, a flight attendant, a pilot, a violin teacher (to us kids, anyway), and a heck of a tambourine player. She is also one of the founding members of the legendary Rich Family Band. (Wish I could find a copy of our album cover to post. Hit me up if you've got one, people. Instead, here's one of Mom in a plane. No idea what the story is here.)

My mom is also a spiritual giant. She's always jumped into every Church calling and assignment with both feet and effusively discussed the blessings she's received. I've never had reason to doubt whether or not she had a testimony of the Gospel because she was always happy to share it with her words and show it with her actions.

In addition to all of that, I owe my personal testimony to her. I once heard a story about a man who was asked how he knew The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true. He responded "I know because my mother told me, and she's never lied to me." That's all well and good, but my mother gave me something much, much better. She taught me how to find out for myself.

When I was a small child just becoming aware of the world outside of Provo I began to ask her questions.

"Mom, there are lots of people in the world, right?"

"Yes, there are."

"And, Mom, there are lots of churches in the world, right?"

"Lots of churches."

"And everyone thinks their church is the right church, right?"

"They probably do."

"So how do we know for sure our church is the right one?"

At this she stopped what she was doing and turned her full attention to me. I will never ever forget what she told me. "Jesse, you have to ask Heavenly Father for yourself. That's the only way to know for sure."

So I did. And I do.

I owe my life to her. She birthed me, she raised me, she cared for me, and she sent me out into the world. Perhaps most importantly she prepared me to meet my wife. I love Danielle with all my heart, and from very early on in our relationship I began to see that she would one day make a fantastic mother. I could never have known that if I hadn't already known a fantastic mother myself.

Mom, I mean it when I say, You're the greatest. I love you.

30 Days of Gratitude: 13. Jobs

Well I'm a day late on this grateful post, ironically enough, because I was at work.

I am grateful that Jesse and I have jobs.

I am grateful that Jesse enjoys what he does and works hard to provide for our family.

I am grateful I found a job that was willing to be flexible with my priorities at home.

I am grateful we are able to make ends meet without both of us working full time.

We have been extremely blessed.

{This was back in the day when I got to wear fun scrubs. Now I wear navy blue which is boring}

And I don't have a work picture of Jesse.

Just picture this guy, dressed in a nice shirt, dress slacks, and a "Jesse" name badge.

30 Days of Gratitude: 12. Happy Babies

I am so grateful these boys wake up happy.

This morning they were talking and giggling to each other which gave this mama a few extra minutes in bed.

It was awesome.

{I}                            {B}

We have a crawler!

Our Brigham is a crawler!

He was army crawling/lunging for a few days but he finally figured it out on Friday Nov. 8!

He can do laps around our house and especially loves the kitchen and bathroom.

He thinks he is so cool.

And so do we!

And he's absolutely adorable when he stops to rest like this.

Oh my goodness, my heart melts.

30 Days of Gratitude: 11. Cute Baby Clothes

I'm grateful little boy clothes are so dang cute.

I thought these boys were cute before, but the sweater vests just made them that much cuter!

{B}                   {I}

30 Days of Gratitude: 10. My Grandpa Skalla

Today I am grateful for my wonderful grandfather. 

He was the type of grandpa who would let us steer the car before we could drive, let us win every game we played, and always had doughnut holes for us in the bread box. 

He was a hard worker, never complained, and would do anything to make us happy.

We called his belly our "pillow," he wore a belt with his name on it, and I'm convinced we were the most loved grandchildren ever.

I was blessed to be named after this great man and although he passed away just a month after I was married, I want our children to know about my grandfather and what a wonderful heritage they have. This is why we named Brigham after Grandpa Allan. 

While we were in St. George recently, we went and visited my grandfather's grave. I miss him.

It made me sad to know my children won't get to know him in this life, but I know he's watching over them from above and I look forward to the time we'll see each other again.

Until then, I love you grandpa!

{Namesakes: Danielle Allane and Brigham Allan}

30 Days of Gratitude: 9. A Dancing Baby

I'm grateful for the funny things my boys do.

Ian was cracking me up with his little dance. 

He did it several times through the day and I couldn't help but laugh.

{And sorry for the orientation. I recorded it the dumb way without thinking and then of course he wouldn't perform again when I tried to record it with my camera facing the right direction.}

30 Days of Gratitude: 8. Good Health

We are feeling grateful for good health. 

Remember when Briggs was in the hospital when he was itty bitty? 

(You can reflect here or here)

Those were hard days.

Luckily we made it through that trial and have been blessed with good health since.

And maybe a few rolls...

{B}                      {I}

Helping Mama Cook

The boys "helping" me cook.

Ian even got to be in the kitchen for a little bit and oh boy did he think that was the greatest!

{I}                  {B}

{I} 

{B} 

{I} 

30 Days of Gratitude: 7. Brotherly Love

I am so grateful these boys love each other. 

{B}                               {I}

{I}                     {B}

Ian even loved Briggs so much one day that he "kissed" his head and left this lovely brotherlick.

30 Days of Gratitude: 6. Sunshine in November

A few days ago, the weather was gorgeous and Jesse and I happened to be home at the same time, so we decided to take a walk.

I love nice sunny days in November.

{B}

{I}

{Briggs with his crazy windblown hair}

{And Ian's hair}

30 Days of Gratitude: 5. Modern Appliances

I am extremely grateful for my dishwasher and washer and dryer. They take a beating with how many bottles, bibs, burp clothes, and baby clothes we are washing these days but I'm grateful it is them and not me. 

And on that note, I'm also grateful for disposable diapers. That might have put my washing machine over the edge.

Things I Love: Seven Months

{Sept. 28}

How has SEVEN months gone by so fast? 

Time is even more warped when you have children.

But they are getting chubbier and cuter by the day, so I guess I can't complain.

Seven months is a whole lot of fun!

IAN

Ian is such a happy boy. He nearly always has a smile on his face.

He is a very tactile child. 

When we took pictures, he had to touch all of his surroundings.

 

Ian enjoys food but still loves a bottle and nursing.

He is a very content baby and even if he's overdue for a nap, he'll stay pretty happy. 

He loves being in the swing.

Ian is really good at scooting backwards, which has gotten him into a couple of predicaments such as stuck under the bed like this. He hasn't quite figured out how to crawl forward yet. He does lots of rocking on his hands and knees and can lunge forward but he's not quite deliberate in his movements yet.

Ian loves straps or anything like unto a strap such as tassels, strings, tags, etc. 

He is a goof!

Always keeps us laughing and he also laughs very easily.

He likes to suck his thumb around whatever else is in his mouth, such as his blanket, shirt sleeve, tags, a spoon, etc. 

Ian almost always wakes up happy and smiley. He is so happy to see me, kicks his legs and melts my heart.

He still drools, spits, buzzes his lips, and spits up a lot.

We are looking forward to the day when the puking ends.

He loves drinking through the straw on his water bottle. 

He is chub-a-dubby!

He and Briggs don't even look like the same age here!

BRIGHAM

Briggs has been making the funniest faces lately! 

We are constantly cracking up at his changing faces.

We LOVE this scrunched nose face he does. It's been hard to capture but he does it several times a day and we love it more each time.

 

Briggs loves solid food.

He still takes a bottle well but he has pretty much decided he's done nursing.

He'll nurse easily at about 5am when he wakes up for a snack and usually again around 8am, but after that it's a battle to get him to nurse. He just prefers a bottle.

He also likes to suck his thumb around things in his mouth. 

Briggs is a wiggle worm. He somehow wriggles right out the top of his clothes!

I'm worried he's going to be very independent and strong willed. 

He does not like to be held on my hip, he'd prefer to face outward, he lunges towards anything he wants regardless of how I'm holding him, and if he wants something, he moves to get it with his half crawling, half lunging movement.

He (and Ian) rubs his eyes when he's tired which we think is cute.

Even though he seems pretty strong willed, he is still a sweet little thing and pretty easy going.

Seriously, what baby keeps on pipe cleaner glasses?

He loves tags, tassels, and strings as well.

Briggs absolutely loves Ian. He always wants to touch him, look at him, laugh with him, and eat him. 

Or I like to think he's giving him kisses.

{One day I caught the two of them giving each other kisses. It was adorable}

He is a very oral and likes to have his hands and everything else in his mouth.

He still loves to read stories, sing songs, and play with toys that make noise.

Briggs also loves drinking from a straw and is not crazy about sharing the bottle with Ian.

 Both boys love sleeping on their bellies, squeal a high pitched awful scream when they are happy or sad, and have been on 8 flights. They have eaten rice cereal, green beans, peas, and carrots because they have a slacker of a mom who forgets to give them new foods every four days. That's about to change though. 

They are still wearing size three diapers, 6-12mo clothes, and I think size two shoes. Maybe one of these days they'll start wearing shoes again. We go through a container of formula about every 10 days.

They really listen when you read to them, they like the jumper and swing, I don't let them watch much tv so when they see something it's mesmerizing for them, and we think they are perfect!

Have I mentioned that Briggs loves Ian? And makes adorable faces? And that Ian is such a happy smiley baby?