Week 14... when life gives you lemons

I am officially out of trimester number one. I feel so blessed to not have the typical morning sickness most women experience, especially with twins. I will say that the exhaustion is really taking its toll. I came home from work last night and couldn't even stand. My body is changing so fast that my poor muscles and joints can't keep up with it! A singleton mom would be carrying a baby the size of a lemon this week, so count that as two lemons for us. I am already starting to feel like a fruit basket.

Sometimes I forget that I am expecting, then the reality of not having clothes that fit, and not being able to eat reminds me. I am so excited though. The idea of bringing two new little, wonderful lives into the world makes me feel like I am floating.

We found out that this pregnancy is special... yet again. Not only are we having twins, but we are having mono-mono twins (monochorionic-monoamnionic). This means our little ones are about as identical as it gets and are sharing everything! This is actually the rarest form of twin pregnancies and makes it a little more high risk. We are not worried though. Our OB is very confident, and we will be consulting with a perinatologist to make sure everything goes smoothly.

I will be having more regular appointments than the average mom, and at each one I will be having an ultrasound. How special to be able to watch my babes grow each time! Here is my favorite of the ultrasound pictures so far. Maybe because they are part of me it melts my heart... but I bet it will yours too.

13 weeks

Being the planner that I am, I cannot help but start collecting and creating things for out little ones. I love the idea of "two peas in a pod". These are the newborn beanies I have made inspired by that theme. Depending on gender I may add a little pink flower to each.

And then there were four...

Pretty exciting things are developing in the Olsen family... 

Infact... two exciting things are developing...

 drum roll please....

10 weeks 1 day

That's right you are looking at not one, but two Baby Olsens!

We couldn't be happier, and cannot wait for our little adventure.



11 weeks



Families Can be Together Forever

Kenneth and Peter are creeping up on leaving for their missions. We recently had the awesome opportunity of attending the Temple with them. I have had some pretty special spiritual moments in my life, but this was pretty great. To see almost my complete family sitting in the Temple together was something I will never forget, and I can't wait until Cole will share in the experience.

Way to go Boys, you are such a great example!!

Closing of Summer... Opening Fall

This has been a great summer for Sam and I. Looking back on all of our pictures, it seems most of our adventures were with family and somewhere in the mountains. I am so grateful for our families and all the fun we have together. To catch up and wrap up a wonderful season I will share pictures of a few of many fun family outings.


Five Springs Campground over Labor day Weekend



Kenneth's epic S'more

Ranger Creek on the Bighorns

There is Beauty all Around

I have been battling a roaring sinus/ear infection for a little over a week now (finally it is settling down...)... but even being sick and having tremendous pressure in my head did not keep me from a family fishing trip this last week. I have to admit I am a very poor navigator, so what I am about to describe may make no sense.

We went through Ten-sleep and up the mountain, past meadowlark lake... over the river... through the woods... (no, no stop at grandmother's house) and came to a trail that no one in their right mind would drive a full cab/long box truck through.... unless of course you count us. A mile and a few heart attacks later, we found ourselves at what we were informed is called Ten Sleep lake (more like two lakes). It was beautiful... except our hike around the lake resulted in Sam and Dan almost having to cary me back out because I could barely breathe (sill me for thinking the elevation would not effect my sinus pressure). We caught no fish, though not for lack of the creatures....

We then crept back down the insane trail and on to creek fishing in some beautiful meadows. If I had been in my right mind and not curled up in a blanket, I would have thought to take more pictures of the beautiful landscape... and for that matter charge my camera. Regardless of my neglect, I did walk away with a couple snapshots of natures wonder.

Called to Serve Double Time

On Thursday I got a phone call from my brothers. They had some exciting news to share with us. Kenneth and Peter recieved their mission calls! Being the oldest of the boys, they will the first to go on missions from my siblings. We are so excited for them!

Mexico Monterrey West

Farmington New Mexico

Calling Dad

Congratulations Boys!!

Our Little Garden

I was so excited about our little garden in its early form, but I had not seen its full potential yet. I have had so much fun with growing this year, and eating the produce is even better.

What you can't see here is the pumpkin patch developing off to the side...

An artistic view of the watermelons

It doesn't look like much, but we have already enjoyed buckets of peas, some corn, and now this. I can't wait for the tomatoes green beans and watermelon.

It reminds me of playing in corn fields as a kid.

The Newest Olsens

Family events are always a highlight for us. The end of July was full of exciting family additions and celebrations. We welcomed two new members of our family, and are to excited that they have joined us!

Baby Gift

Our Sister-in-law just had a new little one. I love babies and I wanted to make something as a gift. My craft talents are limited... so I thought I would stick to what I know works.

This is my second diaper wipe case, and I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out. Russ and Jan had a little boy, and I thought a cowboy theme would be cute.

So... and old pair of Levis, a bandanna, and a wipe case became this...

 

Diapers easily slide into the elastic straps on the back.

Wipes concealed inside.

After I had finished it just seemed like there was something missing.... then it came to me.

Add a little something to the pocket....

and a handmade country style card.

I love the idea of the easy access grab and go style of this craft.  I hope Jan likes this as much as I do...

Another Year Older and Wiser Too!

Sam's Mom had a birthday this last week. We had a little family dinner for her at out place. I have always wanted to learn to decorate cakes... I have even bought all the basic supplies... but never been successful. Since I finally had an event to make a cake for, I thought I might try something simple. My idea was butter cream roses... well I couldn't ever get the icing right!!!

After about ten melted roses, I finally made something that resembled a flower... ha ha!

When the whole cake was put together it did not look too bad... for a first attempt.

What really made it all special, was having family together... no matter what the cake looked like!

Maiden Voyage

Sam and I have been accumulating a handful of motorized toys. Our most recent acquisition is a boat. Not a fancy boat. It is actually old enough that it still has a Chrystler outboard motor on it! It had sat parked for a few years before we got a hold of it, and after days of tweaking, Sam felt she was ready to test open water. We called up some of our closest friends to share the experience with us. They packed a pick nick dinner and we all headed out to Wardell reservoir to try our luck.

After having to jump start the boat twice... we finally got her out on the water. She did not have much power, but it was still fun. Especially for the little ones on board.

The Captain



Phoebe was so excited she could barely stand it!


It wasn't too long after we did a few laps, the motor went silent and poor Jake and Sam got to row us back to shore.



Our brave swimmers.

Shortly after making it back to shore and setting up the grub.... rain clouds set in and a torrential down pour ensued and we all ended up drenched.

What an adventure!

Hopefully with a tune up, our little boat will be ready to try again.